Thais lose their smile
The level of national happiness continues to decline, according to the latest survey by Abac Poll.
In a survey conducted between February 23 and Saturday Abac found the so-called Gross Domestic Happiness Index had slipped to 5.66 from 5.68 in January and 6.30 last September. The index is measured on a 10-point scale.The survey was conducted on 4,229 people in 20 provinces. "What's worrying is that foreigners living in Thailand are less happy, too," said Abac director Dr Noppadon Kannika. The index for expatriates fell to 6.57 points in the most recent survey from 6.91 in January, Noppadon said. Among Thai respondents, 81 per cent cited political conflict and uncertainty as the main reason for declining happiness, he said. Environmental risks and natural disasters were cited by 74 per cent. Other reasons for unhappiness were economic worries and unrest in the South. Some respondents also expressed concern that the problems at iTV would create chaos. Among expatriates political uncertainty was the main reason for declining happiness. "When the coup leaders took over in September, people were happier than today. So, the government and the Council for National Security should urgently give some political direction and return power to the people soon," Noppadon said. However, respondents brightened up when asked about national culture and traditions and the sufficiency-economy theory promoted by His Majesty the King. Noppadon said more people said they were adhering to the principles of the sufficiency economy. The number of those who said they were adhering to the principles rose to 39 per cent in the latest survey from 32 per cent in January. There were also four times happier than the general population, Noppadon said.
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