The NSO Phuket branch has confirmed that all residents, including foreigners who have lived in Thailand for over three months, will be counted.
The previous national Population and Housing Census was conducted in 2010, NSO Phuket branch Director Hasanah Lekhim told The Phuket News.
We typically conduct data collection every 10 years. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 survey was postponed to 2025,” she explained.
The United Nations (UN) recommends conducting a national census at least once every 10 years to ensure accurate and up-to-date statistical information, she noted.
Ms Hasanah said the census conducted in Phuket 15 years ago covered 982 areas, and accounted for 184,795 buildings and 209,235 households.
“These are estimates from 2010, and we know the real numbers are now higher,” she said.
Since then, NSO Phuket has provided updated statistics from annual and ‘snapshot’ surveys.
NSO currently lists Phuket’s population as 429,583. The estimated average household income per month is B41.865 and the estimated average household expenditure per month is B38,941.
NSO Phuket is looking to bring those figures up to date, and to better reflect the reality in Phuket.
This year, the census will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 starting today (Apr 1), Ms Hasanah said.
During Phase 1, Apr 1-20, participants will be able to submit data online:
- via the NSO website (click HERE)
- or via the ‘Tang Rat’ application, which will be Thai language only.(available on Google Play and the App Store).
“Foreign residents who have lived in Phuket for three months or more, as of Apr 1 [or since Jan 1, 2025 or earlier], are also required to fill in the information,” Ms Hasanah confirmed.
“For the online survey, the form can be filled out on the main NSO website. There will be seven languages: Thai, English, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Laotian, Cambodian and Chinese,” she added.
“You can change the language by clicking the right corner of the website,” she explained.
“The information collected will not include ID numbers [passport or Thai ID’, bank account details, or income,” Ms Hasanah said.
“The only questions asked will be about the household’s location, type of household and residence, and the number of members in each household,” she added.
“A family representative can submit the information, so other members do not need to submit it multiple times,” she noted.
Phase 2 will be conducted from Apr 21 to June 19.
During this phase census officials and volunteers will conduct household visits to collect data from those who did not complete the survey online, Ms Hasanah said.
“The data collection on-site will involve volunteers, some of whom can speak English, depending on the area. Areas like Cherng Talay, Patong and Chalong may require English-speaking volunteers,” she said.
The census will categorise data into population count, household numbers, and types of buildings, including homes, shophouses, condominiums, and vacant rental properties, she noted.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Phuket Provincial Statistics Office is seeking volunteers to assist with data collection.
“We need a lot of people to help with this,” Ms Hasanah stated.
Anyone interested in joining as a volunteer can contact the Phuket Provincial Statistics Office at 076-211594.