Poll Indicates Local Exam Fraud and Senator Vote-Rigging Cases Affect Stability of Anutin Government Bowing to Thaksin Seen as Respect

A Nida Poll survey indicates that local exam fraud and senator vote-rigging cases affect the stability of the "Anutin government." The act of bowing at former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lap is seen as a gesture of respect from a junior to a senior.

On 23 August 2026, the Nida Poll Center of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) released results from a survey titled "With Many Problems, Will It Survive?" conducted between 18-20 August 2026. The survey sampled 1,310 individuals aged 18 and above across all regions, education levels, occupations, and incomes nationwide, focusing on issues potentially impacting the stability of the government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

When asked about issues that might affect the stability of the government under Prime Minister Anutin, it was found that

• 62.75% identified fraud in local civil service entrance exams,
• 55.88% cited allegations of senator vote-rigging cases,
• 42.29% mentioned MPs investigating the Khao Kradong case,
• 37.33% pointed to volatility in energy prices,
• 33.36% indicated conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia,
• 28.78% referred to the budget plan under the 400 billion baht loan decree,
• 28.17% noted fluctuations in agricultural product prices,
• 25.27% raised concerns about restrictions on firearm ownership,
• 24.27% mentioned stricter criteria for receiving state welfare rights in 2026,
• 22.98% pointed to illegal acts by foreigners in Thailand,
• 18.17% cited scrutiny of the TH-AI Passport project by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society,
• and 5.34% said there were no issues serious enough to threaten government stability.

Regarding the government's response to potential stability-impacting issues, under Prime Minister Anutin,

• 39.69% said the government could handle some issues,
• 31.99% believed it could not handle them at all,
• 16.26% said it could handle all issues,
• 11.68% thought it could manage most issues,
• and 0.38% did not know or did not answer.

Regarding the question about the survival of the government under Prime Minister Anutin, in relation to issues affecting stability, it was found that

• 37.86% believed the government would definitely not survive,
• 26.03% thought it would survive but be severely shaken,
• 17.94% said it would survive with minor damage,
• 17.71% said it would survive comfortably,
• and 0.46% did not know or did not answer.

Finally, when asked for public opinion on Prime Minister Anutin bowing at the lap of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, it was found that

• 41.45% viewed it as merely a customary gesture of respect from a junior to a senior,
• 29.62% considered it political drama,
• 21.60% said politics has no permanent friends or enemies,
• 17.48% believed it was done to seek support from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra,
• 12.21% saw it as showing the influence of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra,
• 9.62% interpreted it as a signal that the Pheu Thai Party would continue supporting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,
• 9.31% disapproved of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's action,
• 4.73% approved of it,
• and 3.82% did not respond or were indifferent.