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The indicators of happiness vary by context. Thus,
before developing strategies to promote happiness, it is

important to first study the target areas and then conduct
a happiness rating exercise. The Household Socio­
economic Survey conducted by the National Statistical

Office (NSO) in 2009-2010 rated provinces for happiness
using a ten-point scale. It was determined that Phang­
nga Province was the happiest province in the country in

th
2009, but the 4 ranked in 2010. Phuket was ranked 20 th
of the most happy provinces in 2009 but declined to 51 st
one year later. In addition, the 15-item tool "Thai Mental

Health Indicators (TMHl-15)" for assessment of mental
health for persons age 15 years or older developed by

4
Mongkol and colleagues (Appendix A) also rated Phang­
nga Province as the most mentally healthy in 2009 and
2010, compared to Phuket which ranked as low as 74 th
th
and 75 in 2009-10 respectively.

Phang-nga and Phuket are popular international
tourist destinations and are contiguous provinces on

the Andaman Sea Coast in the middle part of Thailand's
southern region. However, their difference in level of
happiness is surprising. When speaking of Phang-nga,

many will recall Baan Nam Khem, one of the most affected
by the Tsunami on the morning of December 26, 200 4 . It

is interesting to investigate the well-being of those in Baan
Nam Khem after the terrible devastation of the Tsunami.

4
Apichai Mongkol, Yongyuth Vongpiromsan, Tavee Tangseree, Watchanee Huttapanom, Praiwan
Romsai, and Worawan Chutha. 2009. The Development and Testing ofThai Mental Health Indicator Version
2007. Bangkok: Published by Agricultural Co-operative Federation of Thailand, Ltd.

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