Jailbirds fight off the blues in laughing competition

BANGKOK: -- Life behind bars is anything but a laughing matter, but the people doing time in the Northeast have changed that _ at least for a day. Ubon Ratchathani's central prison yesterday held a regional laughter contest as part of a programme to ease stress among convicts.

Altogether 48 inmates from 20 prisons in the Northeast took part in the laughing competition.

Kanok Karunamitr, director of the Bureau of Personality Development and Rehabilitation, said the winner will represent the region in the national laughter competition, at the Klong Prem Central Prison in Nonthaburi province in mid-July.

It will be the first national-level event as previous contests were held individually in prisons in Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom provinces.

The laughing contests helped reduce fights between inmates and boosted their mental health, he said.

Mr Kanok said the contest is part of a rehabilitation programme which includes developing vocational skills, and improving inmates' mental and physical well-being.

Nusin Jampadaeng, a contender from a prison in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, hailed the laughter contest.

''The contest should also be held for the public at large who are stressed out by economic, social and political problems,'' said the inmate.

Kampanat Tantithabutkul, a psychiatrist, supported the idea of the laughter contest for prisoners, saying tense and disturbed inmates need relaxation and happiness.

''A laugh should not be forced but it should be natural and spontaneous,'' Mr Kampanat said.

However, the psychiatrist advised that the timing must also be taken into account. It would be inappropriate to burst into laughter while other people nearby were in a sad mood over a tragic event involving someone's death, he said.

A research study by Carnegie Mellon University in the United States revealed that carefree people tend to laugh easily, rarely fall ill and are healthy.

The research said that laughter can help the internal organs, by relaxing the muscles and improving blood circulation.

When people laugh, their bodies produce a substance called endorphins which improves their mood. And good moods can lead to good health, said the research.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-29

Jailbirds fight off the blues in laughing competition

BANGKOK: -- Life behind bars is anything but a laughing matter, but the people doing time in the Northeast have changed that _ at least for a day. Ubon Ratchathani's central prison yesterday held a regional laughter contest as part of a programme to ease stress among convicts.

Altogether 48 inmates from 20 prisons in the Northeast took part in the laughing competition.

Kanok Karunamitr, director of the Bureau of Personality Development and Rehabilitation, said the winner will represent the region in the national laughter competition, at the Klong Prem Central Prison in Nonthaburi province in mid-July.

It will be the first national-level event as previous contests were held individually in prisons in Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom provinces.

The laughing contests helped reduce fights between inmates and boosted their mental health, he said.

Mr Kanok said the contest is part of a rehabilitation programme which includes developing vocational skills, and improving inmates' mental and physical well-being.

Nusin Jampadaeng, a contender from a prison in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, hailed the laughter contest.

''The contest should also be held for the public at large who are stressed out by economic, social and political problems,'' said the inmate.

Kampanat Tantithabutkul, a psychiatrist, supported the idea of the laughter contest for prisoners, saying tense and disturbed inmates need relaxation and happiness.

''A laugh should not be forced but it should be natural and spontaneous,'' Mr Kampanat said.

However, the psychiatrist advised that the timing must also be taken into account. It would be inappropriate to burst into laughter while other people nearby were in a sad mood over a tragic event involving someone's death, he said.

A research study by Carnegie Mellon University in the United States revealed that carefree people tend to laugh easily, rarely fall ill and are healthy.

The research said that laughter can help the internal organs, by relaxing the muscles and improving blood circulation.

When people laugh, their bodies produce a substance called endorphins which improves their mood. And good moods can lead to good health, said the research.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-29

Thought you were talking about the Chelsea v Man U game tonight with that headline

Edited April 29, 200620 yr by lampard10

''The contest should also be held for the public at large who are stressed out by economic, social and political problems,'' said the inmate.

Here at Thai visa we usually get a big laugh everytime a Thai politician or beaurocrat opens their big mouth...........

I thought jailbirds were supposed to sing, not laugh.