Perceptions of National Identity and Government Trust: The Effects of Migrant Education Policies in Thailand

This study looks at how government policies that shape national identity influence people's trust in the federal government. Using Thailand as an example, it focuses on immigration policies and their effect on public trust, especially in a country with a strong sense of national identity. This research study specifically examines Thailand’s 2005 “Education for All” policy, which allowed immigrant children to attend public schools. This policy was seen by some as a challenge to national identity. The study investigates whether such policies impact how much people trust the government. To measure this, the study compares changes in trust over for parents of school-aged children who may have interacted with immigrant communities. The research method, called a “difference-in-differences” approach, helps identify shifts in trust levels before and after the onset of the policy. The results show that the policy did not significantly change the level of trust among the group of people likely to be parents of school-aged children. This suggests that while efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity may lower satisfaction with certain governance sectors, they do not significantly impact trust in the federal government on a broader scale.