International Happiness Day Finds Mood Mixed Among Thais

[webfact]

MARCH 20
International Happiness Day finds mood mixed among Thais
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Ahead of the 1st International Day of Happiness on Wednesday, the UN ranks Thailand the world's 52ndhappiest among 156 countries, and third in Asean after Singapore (33rd in the world) and Malaysia (51st).

But the 2012 UN World Happiness Report also placed Thailand eighth in another type of happiness evaluation - the "good mood" rankings. Thailand's overall happiness index arose to 33.59 points, with Nakhon Phanom being the "happiest" province, Bangkok glum at 65th, and Samut Songkram least happy.

Mental Health Department chief Wachira Pengchan said the survey had found that Thais were generally cheerful, but development was needed in order to elevate people's sense of satisfaction with their income, employment, community relations, values promoting happiness and religion, physical health, mental health, family relationships, education and gender and social equity.

He urged people to spend time with their family, engage in "happinessboosting" activities (such as regular exercise and meditation), secure stable jobs that delivered sufficient income, and avoid becoming indebted to loansharks.

He said that communities should also look out for the elderly, the chronically ill, singleparent families, drug/alcohol addicts and the disabled.

National Statistics Office deputy director Rajjana Netsaengtip said that Thais' happiness had gradually risen over the past five years, according to an annual countrywide happiness survey. Out of a maximum 45 points, Thailand scored 31.8 in 2008, 33 in 2009, 33.3 in 2010, 32 in 2011 and 33.59 in 2012.

The survey found the "happiest" province was Nakhon Panom, followed by Phichit, Trang, Chaiyaphum and Krabi, while the least happy provinces were Samut Songkram, followed by Samut Prakan, Sa Kaew, Phuket, Nong Khai and Kanchanaburi.

She ventured that Nakhon Phanom was happiest because it had middle income but high family security, while the least happy provinces had high numbers of migrant workers who had left their families to find work, hence their mood was bleaker.

She said that migration for education, however, had a different effect as such migrants tended to be full of hope for a brighter future. She said Bangkok was both a hub of political conflict and a place where people didn't spend enough time with family, both of which took a toll on mental health.


-- The Nation 2013-03-19

[Katipo]

"secure stable jobs that delivered sufficient income" yes, well we'd all like that, wouldn't we. I don't think half the country willingly chooses to live on tiny inefficient farms in borderline poverty

[Bellweather]

I regularly use a site that has e-cards for birthdays etc and am amazed at hoe many stupid international days there are. I suggest we lobby for an " International Day to Ban All Stupid International Days " day

[RisqEM]

<deleted> is this BS????

[kirk0233]

If your happiness is delusional, does that count?

[thomash]

Where does Thailand rank for happy endings? I bet it's in the top 10!

[FalangBaa]

Where does Thailand rank for happy endings? I bet it's in the top 10!

If you refer to the climactic type of happy ending, it's definitely in the top 10; however, if you refer to foreigners who come to put an end to their lives while happy (thanks to the haze of drink or drugs), Thailand is definitely no. 1 in the world, with the help of its plentiful high-rise tower blocks and generously low balcony railings. New TAT slogan: "Thailand... A Great Way to Go."

[bigbamboo]

Too many people at the UN clearly have too much time on their hands.

Surely the money this sort of nonsense costs could be better spent.

[JetsetBkk]

Thailand only 52nd for happiness? I bet that p1ssed off a lot of 'em.

Next year: 53rd.

[Locationthailand]

Is this just another 'retail' opportunity for sucking money from the public? What a crock and who gives a toss?

[DocN]

There is an International Happiness Day?

[Pimay1]

There is an International Happiness Day?

Yep there is.

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012. Assembly Resolution A/RES/66/281

Of course there are different criteria for the Day of Happiness. Mine is waking up every morning.