It seems like most countries realized the value of happiness.In the International Conference on Happiness and Public Policy staged in Bangkok, participants of the conference were discussing about the Gross National Happiness (GNH) and its positive effects to every country: global development, economic prosperity and productivity.

“It is intimately linked with the quality of life and the society in which we live. Concentrating on gross domestic product alone does not necessarily lead to well-being.” Thai Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said.

The 300 or more participants of the said conference compared their country’s life expectancies, standards of living, education levels and will tackle to discover the necessary measured to attain happiness.

The GNS conference was first held in Bhutan in 2004 on which King Jigme Singye Wangchuck first had an idea of the Gross National Happiness. They already implemented it in their country and so far has got a favorable response. Former prime minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Jigme Thinley said:

“The Bhutanese experience is being discussed and perhaps it has come to provide inspiration to others,”

People from the Kingdom of Thailand’s capital seems to be getting gloomy these days.In a survey conducted by the Thurakji Bundit University Poll, Bangkok’s happiness fell 1.76% compared with 3.41% three months ago.

The main causes are the rising cost of living, concerns about success in life, quality of life, safety of properties, and having less money to spend.

However, the only category that showed improvement is positive thinking which rose 0.55%.

The survey questioned 1,089 people from Bangkok.

Source: www.enews.mcot.net