Quality of life in Thailand gets a 'C' grade, poll finds
Thais gave their quality of life a "C" grade in a recent survey by Dhurakij Pundit University. Many complained that they did not spend enough time with their families. Their economic situation was not favourable, resulting in liquidity problems and the
More than two-thirds of respondents believed that the next election should be held in either 2016 or 2017.
The university polled 1,190 people in 22 provinces from March 10 to April 8. Respondents were asked to rate, on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), their situation in four dimensions: physical health, mental health, family and society, and economic status. In the first category, the average rating on physical well-being was 3.38 points; appropriate consumption of nutritious foods was 3.37 points; sufficient time to exercise was 2.75 points; and sufficient time to rest was 3.18 points.
In the mental-health category, satisfaction with the overall community environment rated 3.37 points; satisfaction with social life 3.32; stress related to living conditions 2.86; and feeling of security 3.50.
In the family and society category, sufficient time with family was rated at 3.08 points; understanding among family members 3.58; opportunity to contribute to the community 3.24 points; and relationship with community members 3.39 points.
In the economic category, job security was rated at 3.32 points; enough income to meet necessary spending garnered 2.85; ability of save got 2.94 points; and satisfaction with the respondent’s current personal economic situation scored 3.14.
When the rating scales were converted into percentages, physical health was equivalent to 63.4 per cent, mental health 65.3 per cent, family and society 66.5 per cent and economic situation 61.3 per cent. Thus, the overall quality-of-life ranking was 64.1 per cent. In addition to the assessment of quality of life, two additional issues were addressed: the most important issues in education that needed to be solved and the election.
The five most important issues in the first category were improvement in education quality to promote critical thinking; equity in access to education; education to match demand in the labour market; development of the country’s human-resource competency; and the use of information technology to promote life-long learning.
On the second point, when asked whether they thought political conflict would persist if the election were held this year, 54 per cent believed the conflict would continue, 8 per cent believed there would not be any conflict, and 38 per cent were unsure. Asked about the right time to hold the next election, 24 per cent said it should be held this year, 36 per cent next year, 30 per cent in 2017, and 10 per cent said it should be held when the people were ready.
Based on the grading criteria below, it was found that the quality of life in the first quarter of this year was graded as "C".
Grading criteria
A = 85 per cent and above; B+ = 80 per cent to 84 per cent; B = 75 per cent to 79 per cent; C+ = 70 per cent to 74 per cent; C=65 per cent to 69 per cent; D+ = 60 per cent to 64 per cent; D = Below 60 per cent.
