The Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty the King in May was the happiest event of the year for Thai people, while the economic slowdown and high consumer prices were the biggest downers, according to an opinion survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll of Suan Dusit University.
Suan Dusit gauged the opinions of 8,475 Thais, in a wide range of occupations nationwide, between December 10th and 28th.
The results show 37.98% thought the Coronation Ceremony was the happiest moment of the year, 36.66% voted for the brief spell of cold weather in mid-December, 25.36% voted for the Songkran and New Year holidays.
54.40% of the respondents said economic problems made them feel most unhappy, 25.25% said the mass flooding in Ubon Ratchathani was the saddest event of the year and 20.34% said crime, road accidents and violence were the saddest aspects of the year.
The Suan Dusit poll shows Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to be the favourite government politician at 54.19%, while Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was the most favoured opposition politician.
The two favourite female politicians are Chart Thai Pattana party leader Ms. Kanhana Silpa-archa and Pheu Thai chief strategist Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.
Those surveyed by Super Poll chose Artiwara Kongmalai, or Toon Bodyslam, as ‘Thailand’s Man of the Year for 2019’ for his social contributions and charity runs to raise funds for hospitals.
In a separate poll, 74.7% of 1,192 respondents voted for Toon.
