The survey covered 3,158 people in Bangkok and the larger provinces such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri and Songkhla.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health), psychiatrists from Ramathibodi Hospital, and the Abac Research Poll Centre jointly conducted the survey between April 15 and April 29.

"Bangkok residents' physical and mental health problems are greater than others," said Ramathibodi Hospital's deputy director Dr Ronnachai Kongsakon.

According to the survey, people in the eastern region enjoyed better physical health than others while people in the North enjoyed the best mental health compared with those living in other regions.

"If we categorise people into those in living in town and those living out of town, we found that those in town enjoy better physical health - but poorer mental health," Ronnachai added.

Categorised by age groups, he said the elderly tended to enjoy better mental health but faced poorer physical health compared with younger people.

The survey also found that widowed, divorced and separated people had a poorer quality of life both physically and mentally.

Krisada Ruangareerat of Thai Health said the survey showed the health of Thais in general was still poorer than those in developed countries. "We are going to improve their quality of life," he said.