Forty per cent of the 519 city residents interviewed said they were working and studying harder, and cutting out leisure activities to reduce expenditures, said Sasiwimon Smittipatana, the society's director. City residents were adjusting their lifestyles to adapt to the higher cost of living sparked by rising petrol and transportation costs and higher product prices, researchers found.

About 46 per cent of the respondents said they were working harder and 53 per cent said they were studying more, researchers said.

About one-third said they were sleeping less and 29 per cent said they spent less time shopping.

The number of respondents who said they had no confidence in the economy rose to 15 per cent from 11 per cent in the last survey.

Sasiwimon said city residents were most worried about an economic slowdown or rising unemployment. Of those surveyed, 43 per cent said they were worried about the economy and employment, while 29 per cent were concerned about political uncertainty and 27 per cent about social rifts. Inflation and rising prices worried about one-quarter of those surveyed and about one-fifth were concerned about their own financial security.

Almost the same number were worried about political rallies in the city as were worried about violence in the South, with 18 per cent citing the former and 17 per cent the latter. Only 14 per cent of those surveyed said they were worried about illegal drugs.

In the last survey, illegal drugs were cited as the top worry, with 42 per cent of respondents identifying them as the top problem. In that survey, inflation and rising prices were cited as the most serious problem by 41 per cent of the respondents, while 36 per cent were most worried about an economic slowdown and higher unemployment. Crime was the main worry of 32 per cent of those interviewed in the last survey.

Sasiwimon said city residents remain quite optimistic and although they were spending less money on leisure they were finding simpler, inexpensive ways to relax and enjoy life, such as spending more time with family members.

"Our current survey clearly indicated that people are still happy," Sasiwimon said. "Only 7 per cent said they are unhappy with life."

The survey found that financial security was the top priority (65 per cent), followed by health (61 per cent), a carefree retirement (58 per cent) and peaceful life (50 per cent).

Most people, 65 per cent, felt a pinch from rising prices. Higher utility prices were cited by 68 per cent of the respondents, while 58 per cent mentioned rising transportation costs. One-quarter said they felt a pinch from rising food costs, 26 per cent said clothing and personal belongings had become costlier, and 26 per cent said leisure activities had become more expensive.

The survey found that 40 per cent of the respondents were dining out less often, and 32 per cent spent less time on domestic travel. About 46 per cent spent less time going to the movies, and 31 per cent said they were spending less time watching cable TV.

Sasiwimon said that about 60 per cent of the respondents want the government to create more jobs, reduce prices of goods and utilities and boost the economy.

About 18 per cent said the government should improve the quality of life by upgrading transportation infrastructure and creating more parks. About 15 per cent of the respondents said the government should improve the education system.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn, The Nation