Suan Dusit Poll: Majority Prioritize Aid for Disabled and Disaster Victims in State Welfare Survey

Key summary

A Suan Dusit University poll of 1,132 respondents conducted between October 20-23, 2026, found that 68.90% believe the state should prioritize assistance for people with disabilities and those needing special help, followed by 64.93% supporting aid for disaster or emergency victims. While 48.06% want universal basic welfare, 46.29% feel current access to rights is low. Regarding future funding, 48.32% suggest reducing or reprioritizing other budgets if welfare needs to increase. Only 47.53% believe current welfare significantly improves living standards, and 39.66% express little confidence in the state welfare arrangements of Prime Minister Anutin's government. Experts noted that despite high living costs and an aging society, citizens view welfare as a security guarantee rather than just cash handouts, emphasizing the need for equitable resource allocation and transparent governance to bridge the gap between legal rights and practical access.