The happiness of most Thais increased in the second half of last year, according to research to mark International Happiness Day tomorrow.
Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, director-general of the Department of Mental Health (DMH) said Thais told researchers they felt happier as a result of good mental and physical health, spending more times with their families, and earning an adequate income without incurring too much debt.
According to a report from the Information and Communication Technology Ministry (MICT), Thais reported an average score of happiness last year of 32%, which fell from 33.59% in 2012 and 33.3% in 2013.
From April to June last year, research indicated the happiness level dropped to its lowest point of 31.3%, while the at-risk population (those who are ill or in distress) reached a high point of 18.4%.
However, Thais' happiness gradually increased to 31.4% in July and 32.31% in October while the population at risk fell to 16.3% and 14% respectively.
Looking at the picture nationwide, the Central region which includes Bangkok has the least happiest people, a trend which has shown up for several years.
The DMH said the happiness rate will vary depending on factors such as the state of the environment, relations among people in the community, living conditions, adequate food for consumption and health services in their community. If politics and governance of the nation was a factor, it wasn't mentioned.
Drugs, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and the sale of land were also mentioned as negative factors affecting happiness.
According to the survey by the United Nations in 2013, Thailand ranked 36th in a league of the world's happiest people, and second in Southeast Asia after Singapore.