BANGKOK, April 20 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed satisfaction over Bloomberg’s Misery Index report on Thailand being the “least miserable” economy among 62 countries for the second consecutive year this year, according to a deputy spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The deputy spokesman Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak quoted the prime minister as saying that Thailand, according to Bloomberg’s Misery Index, scored 2.1 similar to last year. The survey ended on April 11.
According to the Bank of Thailand, the kingdom has an unemployment rate as low as 0.9 per cent while inflation rate stood at 1.1 in 2018.
Gen Prayut has stressed that besides unemployment and the inflation rate which his government has attached importance, other factors including cost of living, corruption and crime suppressions must also be tackled for the genuine happiness of the people in the country, according Lt Gen Weerachon.
Switzerland ranked second in the survey by Bloomberg, followed by Japan and Singapore which came third together. Taiwan and Malaysia came fourth and fifth respectively.
Bloomberg’s Misery Index relies on the age-old concept that low inflation and unemployment generally illustrate how good economy’s residents should feel. This year’s scores are based on Bloomberg economist surveys, while prior years reflect actual data. (TNA)