An opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) concludes that poverty is the biggest cause of hardship for the elderly in Thailand.
The institute surveyed 1,250 people aged 60 and over nationwide from March 23 to 28, to find out what made them happy and sad, ahead of April 13, which is the Songkran Thai New Year Day and also National Elderly Day.
The survey found the most common factor causing sadness for the elderly was poverty, followed by joblessness, debt, illness and loneliness.
The poll also found that the biggest happiness factor for the elderly was positive thoughts, followed by compliance with religious teachings, living with family members, good health, activities and meetings with friends, being debt-free and making social contributions.
Asked which blessings respondents wanted, 86% mentioned good health and the rest referred to happiness for themselves, their family and society, and enough money.
About 83% of the respondents lived in single-family detached homes and the rest were in row houses, condominiums and flats.