Environment still a top concern for Thai consumers

But action still lags behind worry, Marketbuzzz survey finds

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The environment remains Thailand's number one public concern in 2025, according to a nationwide study by Marketbuzzz in partnership with the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University.

This continued prioritisation of the environment occurs despite mounting economic pressure and rising prices, which have also increased as sources of concern this year.

The annual survey, conducted since 2019, once again found that “Environment and Pollution” was ranked as the top concern (44%) by Thais and comes despite heightened economic challenges, with rising prices (42%) and economy in general (30%) also ranking high among the top concerns.

This consistent result signals an entrenched public worry, even in the face of escalating financial pressures, according to Marketbuzzz.

Yet, while concern is high, the gap between worry and tangible personal action remains significant. Sixty-five percent of Thais believe environmental issues are having a very big impact on their quality of life, and nearly half (48%) believe the situation will worsen over the next five years.

However, when asked what actions they had taken in the past week, the most common behaviours were turning off lights (50%) and air conditioners (44%) — relatively easy and habitual acts that require low effort and high individual control.

In contrast, only 23% reported refusing plastic bags at stores, highlighting a sharp drop-off in more publicly visible or socially influenced behaviours.

SENSE OF CONTROL