Suan Dusit Poll reveals that Thai people reflect a “crisis of confidence” in the justice system, fearing political influence interference. It suggests maintaining neutrality and applying the same standards to everyone.
On 20 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Suan Dusit Poll, Suan Dusit University, surveyed public opinion nationwide on “Thais and confidence in the justice system.” A sample of 1,123 people was surveyed online and in the field between 15-18 Sep 2026. The results showed:
When asked about the “Thai justice system,” most respondents primarily thought of court trials and verdicts, at 63.85%.
Regarding recent political cases, 46.39% of respondents said they still had little confidence in the Thai justice system.
When asked how much the public thought different groups in Thai society received equal justice from the system, 38.02% said there was no equality at all, while 35.53% said there was little equality.
The main factor reducing confidence in the Thai justice system was political influence interference, cited by 66.87%.
The top priority to restore confidence in the justice system was making legal rights and assistance more accessible to the public, at 66.52%.
Dr. Pornpan Buathong, Chairperson of Suan Dusit Poll, stated the poll results reflect a crisis of confidence in the justice system, especially regarding fairness and equality. Restoring trust requires showing the public that the justice system is independent, reliable, accessible, and applies the same standards to everyone; otherwise, social questioning will continue as seen today.
Dr. Ngamprapan Esmanuk, Dean of the School of Law and Politics at Suan Dusit University, said the poll signals a warning society should not ignore. More than two-thirds of the public lack confidence in the fairness of the Thai justice system, reflecting a growing perception that the law may not operate equally for all. With 73.55% believing different groups do not receive equal justice, this highlights the gap between the principle of equality and public experience. Political interference is a key concern because when independence is questioned, the credibility of the justice system is undermined. Confidence must come from transparent processes with standards that can be publicly explained. The call for easier public access to legal rights and assistance emphasizes that justice must not be a privilege for the knowledgeable, wealthy, or powerful. Rebuilding trust must start with making the public feel that the law protects everyone equally, regardless of status or political position. Ultimately, the justice the public trusts is not just that declared by the state but one that the people can see, access, and verify.