According to the World Happiness Report 2024, Thailand ranks 58th among the happiest countries in the world, up two places from 2023. The World Happiness Annual Report, published jointly by the United Nations, the University of Oxford, and Gallup Research, is based on data from the Gallup World Opinion Survey conducted between 2021 and 2023.
Within ASEAN (or ASEAN), Thailand ranks fourth, behind Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam. Elsewhere, Singapore retains its position as Asia's happiest country for the second year in a row, followed by Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, with Thailand in seventh place. Finland continues to hold the title of the happiest country, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Israel.
The five unhappiest countries are Congo, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. The World Happiness Report is published on 20 March each year, the International Day of Happiness. The ranking of 143 countries around the world is calculated based on GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and degree of corruption.
The International Day of Happiness was established by the United Nations in 2012 to promote happiness as a universal goal of humanity. What is Happiness? Thailand's PBS Le Monde interviewed several people with disabilities and asked them what happiness is.
Sasima Phaibool, 38, who suffers from psychosocial disorders, said: "For me, happiness comes when I feel comfortable, relaxed, and without any worries or stress. That's when I could follow my heart, smile and laugh. ”
Happiness also lies in the moments she shares with important people, such as her close friends, her cat, her partner and her mother, she added, adding: "These moments become precious memories. "If her mind and the way she approaches her environment remain flexible, she won't feel burdened by factors beyond her control. Instead, it will be able to focus on the aspects it can influence.
Kunatch Sirisomboonwech, who is hard of hearing, said: "I think happiness is not something that can be seen, but something that can be felt. I find pleasure playing badminton with my friends, playing games, and eating delicious food. ”
Thanapat Laohapasert, 25, who has a physical disability, said that happiness is the happiness he values most in relationships, adding:
"I can't find happiness alone, but I have to rely on others. Participating in activities that make people happy, such as attending a concert, I need the support of others. He added.
"I feel supported when someone accompanies me on an activity. We can share our tastes and experiences, which doubles happiness. He concluded by saying that disability remains a challenge for him in his quest for happiness.