Poll:Greatest happiness of Thai people comes from loyalty to three main institutions

BANGKOK, October 30 (TNA) - A latest opinion poll has shown that the gross domestic happiness of Thai people rose to 7.40 points this month, from 5.79 points out of total 10 a month earlier, representing its peak so far this year as well. Noppadon Kannika, Director of Bangkok-based Assumption University's Academic Network for Community Happiness Observation and Research (ANCHOR), told journalists Tuesday that the random survey on 4,042 people in 17 provinces from October 20-29 found that Thai people’s united loyalty for the three institutions, including the national, the religious and the royal institutions, was the most important factor contributing to their highest level of happiness gauged in 2012. According to the latest survey, the happiness with the united loyalty measured 9.06 points, followed by 7.71 points for family relations, 7.46 for mental health, 7.38 for physical health and 7.03 for relations among community dwellers. Noppadon said the latest survey also found that Thai people were happier with their jobs (6.99 points), access to medical services (6.98 points), environment (6.89 points), Thai cultures and traditions (6.81 points), local schools (6.64 points) and the image of the Kingdom and the Thai people (6.03 points). Besides, Noppadon acknowledged, it was the first time for such the survey to find no factors which kept the happiness score of Thai people lower than 5 points, pointing out that even the happiness score on the domestic political situation stood at 5.17 points, and that a recent Cabinet reshuffle, as well as political demonstrations and conflicts so far this year had not affected the happiness of Thai people who appeared to get used to political problems. The director foresaw that the gross domestic happiness of Thai people should keep rising until the New Year festival, boosted by the same factors. (TNA)