Bangkok Rates Bottom In Nation's Happiness Stakes

[webfact]

Bangkok rates bottom in nation's happiness stakes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The people of Mae Hong Son are the happiest in the country, while Bangkokians are the least happy, according to the results of an Abac poll released yesterday, which marked the International Day of Happiness.

The lower level of happiness in the capital was attributed to stress from materialism, high crime and bad family ties, the pollster said.

The Academic Network for Community Happiness Observation and Research (ANCHOR) at Assumption University surveyed opinions of 12,429 people nationwide from March 1-19. They rated people's happiness on a scale of 1-10 based on 17 indicators, and found that general happiness has dropped from last December's 7.61 score to 6.58.

Individually, the happiness indicator with the highest score - of 9.23 - remained the people's unity in expressing loyalty to the country, religion and the monarchy.

That was followed by family relationships at 7.28, current vocation (7.20), physical health (7.18), mental health (7.14), culture and tradition (7.07), community relationships (6.75), housing and infrastructure (6.56), access to medical services (6.51), financial security (6.18), education (6.11), safety in life and property (6.08), social justice (5.39) and natural resources and environment (5.36).

Indicators that had a less than 50 per cent score were the government's transparency and local administration at 4.08, overall picture of politics at 4.02, and politicians' quality and morals, at 3.04.

On the provincial front, the survey found the happiest province was Mae Hong Son at 60.9 per cent, followed by Phang Nga at 60.7 per cent, Chaiyaphum at 60 per cent, Prachin Buri at 57 per cent and Uthai Thani at 56.6 per cent.

Key factors for happiness in these five provinces were the environment, rural lifestyle, good relationships in family and community, high safety in life and property, low crime rate, pride in local history, little-to-moderate urbanisation and materialism, and more importantly, loyalty to the nation, religion and the monarchy, which boosted their unity.

Bangkok ranked lowest at 20.8 per cent after Samut Prakan at 22 per cent and Phuket at 24.2 per cent. These provinces were least happy because of high urbanisation and materialism; high crime rates; relationships in family and community in crisis; drug problems and alcoholism; disunity and bias in society; anger; public antipathy to government and local administration due to lack of transparency; pollution and health problems.

The poll also presented "Thailand's roadmap to happiness" comprising four aspects: promoting patriotism as a common value that unite citizens; promoting trust in the government by getting it to be transparent; promoting trust in public officials by revealing what fines and fees are be spent on; setting up common goals - such as being a leader in the AEC, which could lead to helping Thais communicate in English and work with foreigners.


-- The Nation 2013-03-21

[Thai at Heart]

materialism, high crime and bad family ties

Of course nothing to do with a much higher cost of living, crap public services, a dearth of greenery and open spaces, traffic jams, noise.

I used to have a soft place in my heart for Bangkok, but these days, it is just such a hassle to get anything done, I can't stand the place.

[Payboy]

The new governor will take care of all that. No wait !

[Radar501]

This Abac poll released yesterday shows Mae Hong Son to be the happiest province, and Bangkok the least happy.

Yet, one day earlier, Thailand's National Statistical Office released figures indicating Nakhon Phanom was the happiest. Mae Hong Son didn't rank in the top five, and Bangkok did not rank in the bottom five.

See here for the story. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626964-nakhon-phanom-named-thailands-happiest-province/.

I guess it all depends on what the key factors for 'happiness' are.

The researchers from both organisations should have compared notes. That would have made me happy.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Radar501

[tragickingdom]

Polling agencies cannot even predict the outcome of an election let alone that they are able to predict happiness. Happiness always seem to spike when a Royal birthday approaches, which tells me that the entire index is completely bogus. People have other things on their mind, except maybe the yellow shirts (lol)

[spidermike007]

Not sure what to make of this. When I am in Bangkok, I always remark that the people there seem to have the lightest spirit, and the greatest sense of pleasure, of any big city I have EVER been to. I find the energy in Bangkok to be positive, and uplifting. And I have been visiting Bangkok for 35 years now, plus I have done alot of traveling. They seem to be really enjoying themselves. When I approach someone on the street, the sense I get is that they are helpful, generous, kind, and willing to help with directions, advice, etc. I see people playing, joking, and generally having a nice time. Hard to find that attitude in other big cities around the world, where many of the people look absolutely miserable. Especially in the US, and in Europe. So, again not sure what a survey like this really says. I tend to go with my gut, and the impressions I get from strangers. People in Bangkok are very friendly, in my opinion. I love that city, so I may be biased, but this is the way I see it.

[Zolt]

So #13 is what, Pyongyang?

[belg]

and i tought phuket people were the happiest, tuk tuk and taxi and jet ski maffia all out there making a lot of cash, everyday, more in one day than the average thai in a whole month

legalised by the police and administrations