Politics Thai Military Tops Government in Trust Over Cambodia Dispute: Survey

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of THai PBS World

 

The Thai military is deemed more trustworthy than the government in addressing the ongoing border disputes with Cambodia, as revealed by a NIDA poll conducted between June 9th and 11th. The survey tapped into the views of 1,310 participants on their confidence and satisfaction regarding the roles of the government, military, and Foreign Ministry in this matter.

 

A striking 62.52% of respondents expressed high confidence in the Thai military’s ability to safeguard national interests, with an additional 23.74% described as confident. Conversely, the government and Foreign Ministry trailed, with only 10.46% of respondents very confident in their handling of the issue, while a significant 35.42% lacked confidence and 30.76% reported no confidence at all.

 

When it comes to trust, the military again stands out, receiving a substantial endorsement from participants, contrasting with the government’s lower ratings. Approximately 37.48% of respondents expressed no trust in the government, underscoring a persistent lack of faith in their performance, particularly in matters involving national security and diplomacy.

 

Satisfaction ratings echoed trust levels, with 61.76% of respondents very satisfied with the military’s performance. Meanwhile, the government faced criticism, with 37.94% of respondents very dissatisfied and 30.99% dissatisfied. Similarly, the Foreign Ministry recorded dissatisfaction among 35.73% of participants, suggesting a broader unease with its diplomatic efforts.

 

Regarding the national anthem’s line "Thais love peace but are courageous at war", 69.39% of respondents expressed strong appreciation. Nationalist feelings were mixed, with 48.24% embracing it, while the rest showed a spectrum of opinions based on current events or personal beliefs.

 

In summary, the NIDA poll highlights a prevailing trust in the Thai military over the government in managing the Cambodian border dispute, revealing public sentiment favouring the military's strategic approach over political avenues.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-06-16

 

 

[JoePai]

Does this mean Thais prefer war instead of diplomacy ?

[BonnieandClyde]

18 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Does this mean Thais prefer war instead of diplomacy ?

Not necessarily.

It more likely means that they have more confidence in their military than in the manifestly corrupt civilian governments that prevail here.

Tell us again how many widely supported military coups there have been since 1932.

 

[Enoon]

4 hours ago, BonnieandClyde said:

Not necessarily.

It more likely means that they have more confidence in their military than in the manifestly corrupt civilian governments that prevail here.

Tell us again how many widely supported military coups there have been since 1932.

 

 

While some coups have been vociferously supported by a minority of the population and the state subservient Thai media, very few, if any, have been widely supported.

 

The lack of opposition to the coups, due to fear of terrifying retribution by the military and the clique that favours it, also does not constitute wide support for them.

 

 

 

[newbee2022]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

safeguard national interests

What is that?

A piece of land with an old Khmer temple legally owned by Cambodia.

Seems to be difficult to respect law?

[Srikcir]

On 6/16/2025 at 9:35 AM, BonnieandClyde said:

manifestly corrupt civilian governments that prevail here.

That exist with military backing, ie., Senate controlled by military appointees. Prior to the 2014 military coup the Senate was at least 50% elected, Now it is wholly "selected" by pro-military committees.

[DaddyWarbucks]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

That exist with military backing, ie., Senate controlled by military appointees. Prior to the 2014 military coup the Senate was at least 50% elected, Now it is wholly "selected" by pro-military committees.

Tell that to Thaksin and his corrupt clan.

He and his proxies bled the country white until the Thai Army put a stop to it.

Where do you think the Shinawatra Zillions came from... selling silk on Huay Kaew?

Whatever the downsides of military rule are - and there are quite a few - they pale in comparison to an out-of-control kleptocracy.

Average working-class Thais know that instinctively, and so do farangs who have lived among them for any length of time.

That explains the support for the RTA in times of crisis like we're seeing now.

When things calm down the chattering-classes and the clueless expats can go back to bleating about a "return to democracy".