Bangkok: A recent poll conducted by the King Prajadhipok Institute has revealed significant public concern regarding rising oil prices and a lack of confidence in the government's ability to manage the ongoing Middle East crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, the survey, conducted between March 13-16, 2026, involved 2,000 respondents aged 18 and over from various regions of the country. The poll aimed to gauge public confidence and expectations towards the new government's response to the Middle East crisis. The findings indicate a statistical confidence level of 95% with a margin of error not exceeding 2.5%.
A separate survey by Line Today asked respondents to identify their most concerning impact of the US-Iran conflict. A substantial 78.9% expressed concern over increased oil prices and the associated rise in the cost of living, including transportation and food expenses. Other concerns included false information causing societal panic (9.3%), potential disruptions to energy and trade (5.8%), and the risk of terrorism (5.4%).
The poll also assessed public confidence in the government's ability to handle the US-Iran conflict. Results showed that 46.2% of respondents felt quite confident or very confident, while 40.4% stated they were not very confident or not confident at all, and 13.4% were unsure.
When broken down by age group, confidence varied, with the youngest demographic (18-27) expressing the least confidence at 37.4%, compared to the highest confidence level of 53.1% among those aged 60 and above. Regional differences were also notable, with the South showing the highest confidence at 70.4%, while Bangkok exhibited the lowest at 31.2%.
In terms of Thailand's stance on the US-Iran conflict, 52.5% of respondents preferred the government to maintain neutrality and focus on national interests. Other preferred approaches included economic measures (16.3%), security coordination (12.8%), and proactive diplomacy (7.3%).
These findings highlight significant public concern over economic impacts and skepticism about governmental crisis management, reflecting broader apprehensions surrounding the ongoing geopolitical tensions.