'Environmental' issues remain Thais' concerns

Despite the fact that the high cost of living is the most significant issue facing Thais today, ‘Environmental’ issues have been a consistent source of concern over the past few years, according to a Marketbuzz and Thammasat University School Survey.

Asked about the major public concerns “Environmental” concerns among 1,000 Thai people nationwide in June 2022 is rated 2nd at 37% behind rising prices on the list of major concerns about the country, more than any other concern, including corruption, traffic congestion, crime and the economy, according to the Marketbuzz recent poll.

For the last 3 years in which the survey has been run there is a common concern across most of the surveyed publics around environmental protection. 62% believe environmental issues have a significant impact on their quality of life, especially among younger generation with 76% concerned about the quality of life. Even more concerning is the study revealed that 41% of Thais believe its only going to get worse in the next 5 years. 

According to Grant Bertoli, CEO of Marketbuzz, "The exploitation of our planet and the destruction of ecosystem have accelerated at an alarming rate over the past several years; yet, public support is essential for escalating efforts to limit environmental issues. Even though Thais are less optimistic about the improvement of environmental problems over the next 5 years, there are an increasing number of people who are environmentally aware and conscious about reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, protecting wildlife, and taking other actions to improve environmental circumstances in Thailand, and this is a start”.

Thailand's economic growth has caused numerous environmental issues, so it is becoming increasingly important to raise awareness of these issues, as well as what can be done to reduce their negative impact.

The survey reveals that individuals strive to make the most valuable contribution to protecting environment through sustainable actions every day. The most common environmental behaviors are 'Do not support the purchase or consumption of illegal forest products' (49%), 'Reduce household electricity usage by turning off lights and air conditioners when not in use' (47%), 'Use more reusable bags and containers' (43%), and 'Separate waste' (41%). But clearly more can be done to help a more sustained effort to protect the environment.

Marketbuzzz CEO Grant Bertoli added "When it comes to accountability, people are seeking systemic change from a number of stakeholders including governments and businesses to promote healthy and sustainable living. Businesses play an important role in stimulating action to source and produce their products in a sustainable manner, and consumers can use their purchasing power to ensure that money is spent on beneficial change by purchasing eco-friendly products that are less harmful to the environment”.

The survey also shows that the top 3 most environmental concerns among Thai consumers include Global warming (45%), Air pollution (35%), and Climate changes (30%).

Commenting on the findings, Assistant Professor Dr. Prapaporn Tivayanond Mongkhonvanit, Dean of School of Global Studies at Thammasat University, said “Given the School of Global Studies focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our curriculum, I am heartened to see the awareness of Thai people of the importance of the environment even in the context of more pressing concerns.”

Dr. Prapaporn, Dean of School of Global Studies at Thammasat University also added “The bottom line is that it is everyone's responsibility to protect our environment, in addition to government initiatives. As a result, it is never too late to consider how we might contribute to a more sustainable future and we all gain from contributing to reducing environmental impact of our behaviors”.