# Thai public opinion on political protests and judicial trust

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thai-public-opinion-on-political-protests
> Updated: 2026-09-20T00:45:21.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

A September 2026 Suan Dusit Poll indicates that a significant portion of the Thai public is hesitant regarding political demonstrations, with approximately 40% of respondents believing it is not an appropriate time for protests.

Economic issues and the cost of living were identified as the primary drivers that could lead to future demonstrations, cited by 69.54% of participants. This was followed by concerns regarding political legal cases, specifically Senate election irregularities, at 68.76%. 

While nearly 48% of respondents believe protests can reflect important societal issues, Dr. Pornpan Buathong, President of Suan Dusit Poll, noted that accumulated pressure from economic struggles and political confidence suggests protests may not be an immediate solution, expressing concern that they could lead to further conflict.

Recent polling data further highlights a crisis of confidence in the Thai judicial system. Approximately 66.87% of respondents believe political interference is the primary cause for declining trust in the legal process, while 46.39% expressed a lack of confidence in the fairness and neutrality of the judiciary following recent political legal cases. Additionally, 73.55% of participants perceive that different social groups do not receive justice equally. To restore trust, 66.52% of respondents suggested that authorities prioritize making legal rights and assistance more accessible to all citizens.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Thailand judicial confidence declines due to political interference

A Suan Dusit Poll reveals that over 66% of Thais believe political interference is undermining confidence in the country's judicial system and its ability to provide equal justice.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-judicial-confidence-declines-due-to-political-interference

### 2026-09-13: Suan Dusit Poll: Thais prioritize economy over political protests

A Suan Dusit Poll reveals that 40% of Thais believe now is not the right time for political protests, citing economic hardship and Senate election controversies as primary potential drivers for unrest.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/suan-dusit-poll-thais-prioritize-economy-over-political-protests

### 2026-09-06: Suan Dusit Poll: Thais lack confidence in government disaster response

A Suan Dusit Poll shows over 53% of Thais lack confidence in the government's disaster management, citing climate change and flooding as major concerns while urging better environmental policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/suan-dusit-poll-thais-lack-confidence-in-government-disaster-response

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Cite as: Thai public opinion on political protests and judicial trust. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thai-public-opinion-on-political-protests