Because I'm happy: Thailand rated world’s ‘happiest economy’ in Misery Index



Maybe PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's 'Return Happiness' song did the trick? Photo: Reuters

BANGKOK: PM Prayuth's "Return Happiness" song must be working wonders, because Thailand has been rated the “happiest economy” in the world after it came at the bottom of a “misery ranking” for global economies.

The Bloomberg Misery Index 2016 predicts that Thailand will retain its bottom place of the miserable economies this year because of continuing low unemployment and inflation.

The index was compiled by surveying economists and looking at economic data for inflation and unemployment.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/05/because-im-happy-thailand-rated-worlds-happiest-economy-misery-index

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-01-06

"happiness" is a totally subjective concept and any attempt to measure will inevitably turn out to be a load of B*********x

First at last. Sort of.

How many Thais were surveyed for their opinion?

Any unhappiness in Thailand relates directly to the inability to get into more debts, or the inability to get to the feeding trough.

Indeed, from the outside looking in, yes, Thais seems to be ' happy, ' seems, is the operative word here,

live in Thailand for good few months or so, and the ' happy ' will not look so happy anymore....

but than again, there're, many, many worse place on earth than Thailand, and this is why we're all

still here.....

You can see the anger ready to explode just beneath that smiling exterior.

I know how our friendly PM could make the place much happier. Actually, I could think of quite a few actions or sacrifices he could make.

The rate of unemployment would be a bit problematical I would think, given that so many are involve in farming and informal small scale business activities, so how does anybody know, out of the activities I just mentioned, who is employed or not.

"happiness" is a totally subjective concept and any attempt to measure will inevitably turn out to be a load of B*********x

NOt to mention that all the figures they are given are all dodgy.

"happiness" is a totally subjective concept and any attempt to measure will inevitably turn out to be a load of B*********x

Not to mention that the figures these 'experts' are given are all dodgy. Low unemployment relates to low reporting of unemployment A country in denial.

Nation of masochists.

How many Thais were surveyed for their opinion?

It wasn't based on survey data. Instead, it was calculated by adding a country's jobless rate and inflation.

The challenge is in estimating joblessness in a highly agrarian economy like Thailand.

"happiness" is a totally subjective concept and any attempt to measure will inevitably turn out to be a load of B*********x

Not to mention that the figures these 'experts' are given are all dodgy. Low unemployment relates to low reporting of unemployment A country in denial.

No, I think them mean unemployed and looking for work. As if one is wanting to work and has no job.

"The index was compiled by surveying economists"

Somehow I think my idea of happiness and an economist's might be somewhat different.

Actually, compared to most of the world the Thai people do seem to be quite content and happy.

Happy!! Yes the Government will be very happy with this latest lot of B/S.

Judging from expat comments on Thaivisa, the most unhappy people in Thailand are the farangs.

Just goes to show that Ignorance is Bliss.

You can see the anger ready to explode just beneath that smiling exterior.

I guess if the new draft constitution is acceptable to him then it is beyond question, very bad for people to question his judgement, one mans opinion must be correct, no wonder he is angry.

Democracy is in the eye of the beholder, in this case a one man enlightened beholder.

Happy with an almost 80% drop in foreign investments and not registering the labor that gets sacked... Funny-farm!

Happiest economy? This does not and never equate to wealth. Perhaps they missed out interviewing those road side stall owners.

Bloombergs can't be taken seriously because they never do research. Toss a few graphs and j curves on the table and make a story out of it.

Its impossible to even remotely estimate unemployment or even employment in Thailand.

There are millions of people in LOS working in marginal PT jobs or working illegally ie prostitution. Thailand doesnt have the infrastructure or logistical know how to calculate anything accurately.

Thousands of young Thai men dont want to work so their family supports him.

There is no unemployment benefit in Thailand so how can you calculate anything.

If they only knew how deep in debt households really are....

How many Thais were surveyed for their opinion?

the ones that have had their attitude adjusted

Bloombergs can't be taken seriously because they never do research. Toss a few graphs and j curves on the table and make a story out of it.

Its impossible to even remotely estimate unemployment or even employment in Thailand.

There are millions of people in LOS working in marginal PT jobs or working illegally ie prostitution. Thailand doesnt have the infrastructure or logistical know how to calculate anything accurately.

Thousands of young Thai men dont want to work so their family supports him.

There is no unemployment benefit in Thailand so how can you calculate anything.

I think if Thai working girls had Burmese pimps then the Thai rate of men unemployed might multiply.

Happy with an almost 80% drop in foreign investments and not registering the labor that gets sacked... Funny-farm!

If you would say investment from "Western" countries you are correct. There is a massive increase of Chinese investment. Way to go!

Bloomberg will be added to his ignore list just after the Thai media. Who's next.

Those who are familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of (human) needs will understand. The physiological (food & drink etc.) needs, the need for safety and security and need for love & belonging have to be fulfilled to a certain degree first. These are are far more important than the esteem needs.
Individual freedom and democracy belong in the next (3rd) level which are the needs for self esteem and self respect.