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“I think I don’t believe in anyone at all now.”
- Female, 40+, Western Region

Elected representatives. Few respondents, typically one person in five, participants trust
Members of Parliament. Citizens bemoan their failures to keep promises, voting in ways that do
not help the people they are supposed to represent, often benefiting from vote buying, and not

listening to or responding to the concerns of their constituents.

Many of these complaints contrast these concerns against the ideal attributes they expect of

themselves, to respect and assist others with kindness, honesty, and sincerity, in addition to their
hard work and minimal compensation in order to fulfill their obligations to care for their families

and neighbors.

“… When it’s time to vote for them, there are only deceptions, they promise to do things

for the people… and all they do is fight with each other for power…”
- Female, 40+, Northern Region

Elected officials do have remaining trust from about half of older men who participated.

Legislative bodies. When asked more directly about whether the House of Representatives
and Senate work in the interest of citizens, most felt the House generally did not (about two in
three) and almost all (nine in ten) felt the Senate did not. There was a general understanding that

the role of a Senate is necessary, to check the power of the House of Representatives. However,
when asked about a variety of ways to nominate citizens to fill Senate seats – from a range of
options and combinations of appointments and election – the only acceptable approach was

through an election. Approximately half indicated disbanding the Senate would make them more
confident in being represented, the second most popular option after requiring Senators to be

elected (which four in five said would make them more confident).

Election Commission of Thailand. Again, most participants do not trust the Election

Commission. While one group of older women did trust the commission, they explained that, from
their perspective, since elections are the path for a new government to emerge, they must have

faith in the Election Commission.

14 Citizen Attitudes and Priorities
for Strengthening Democracy