The determinants of happiness among Thai people
Some evidence from Chai Nat and Kanchanaburi
Keywords:
Happiness, Income, Relative poverty, ContentmentAbstract
This study examines the level of happiness of Thai population in Chai Nat and Kanchanaburi provinces and its relationship to various determinants. Economic status perspectives in terms of “objective” (income, debt burden) and “subjective” (a feeling of relative poverty to their neighbors) factors are used as happiness determinants. The paper also examines the effects of non economic factors on happiness including formal education attainment, physical health and perceived quality of the areas in which people live. Having analyzed these effects, it is found that despite their different geography, the findings of two provinces are similar. While the effect of income on happiness is inconclusive, the most important predictor is a feeling of being not poor compared to neighbors which is self interpreted as a feeling of contentment with what one has. The policy of training one’s mind of contentment accompanying with working hard through fair and righteous means, which is a Buddhist teaching of Blessings of Life, should lead to real well-being and peace not only for Thailand but also other countries if adopted.
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