BANGKOK, March 19 – The level of the Thai people’s happiness has gradually increased in the last five years with Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast hailed as the happiest province and Samut Songkram the least happy town.
Rajana Netsaengtip, deputy director general of the National Statistical Office, said the level of the Thai public’s happiness grew from 31.8 of the total 45 points in 2008, to 33 points in 2009, 33.3 points in 2010, 32 points in 2011 and 33.59 points last year.
The top five provinces with the most joyful people are Nakhon Phanom (36.7 points), Phichit (36.39 points), Trang (36.15 points), Chaiyaphum (35.92 points) and Krabi (35.79 points).
The top five most solemn provinces are Samut Songkram (26.92 points), Samut Prakarn (29.81 points), Sa Kaeo (30.12 points), Phuket (30.76 points) and Kanchanaburi (31.34 points).
Bangkok ranked 65th with 32.15 points, probably due to political conflicts in the capital and time constraints for family get-togethers.
The people of Nakhon Phanom earn middle-range incomes while family stability is high. People in the least happy provinces frequently relocate, thus affecting their mental health, Ms Rajana said.
