Because Every Voice Matters
Students from the College of Local Administration (COLA), Khon Kaen University, operating under the COLA Policy LAB and Thai PBS Locals, collaborated with faculty members to act as surveyors. They conducted “market tours” at both the Khon Kaen Green Market and Kangsadan Night Market, inviting Khon Kaen citizens to transform their “complaints” into proposed policies. Participants were asked to select the three issues most relevant to them through “The Voices in My Head, My Home Region” project, a participatory public listening process.
This participatory survey employed policy tools specially developed by Thai PBS Locals, allowing citizens to choose their top three preferences from a list of twenty potential policies that best address their real-life challenges. The results gained provide not only quantitative data but also comprehensively reflect the genuine opinions and fundamental necessities of the local populace.
The survey findings will be utilised as a policy roadmap for policymakers, academics, and government organisations. This strategic resource will facilitate the design of precise, contextually appropriate measures that genuinely meet the needs of the citizens.
As of 26 January 2026, statistical data collected from 1,274 participating citizens in the Isan region revealed the following top five priorities and areas of interest:
| Priority | Percentage | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36.2% | Fair income and comprehensive welfare coverage |
| 2 | 25.6% | Employment upon graduation and market-relevant skills |
| 3 | 25.1% | Farmer self-sufficiency and breaking agricultural monopolies |
| 4 | 24.6% | Quality local employment, reducing out-migration |
| 5 | 23.2% | Transparent and corruption-free government administration |
This report was analysed and summarised by the Collective Wisdom Laboratory team, grounded in the belief that every voice matters.
Read the full report on the Thai PBS Locals website.
