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Published on July 12, 2007

The society's "ThaiView" survey released yesterday found that the confidence of Bangkok citizens in the economy plunged from 45 per cent six months ago to 25 per cent. They are also highly concerned about unemployment and anticipate that the political and economic situations and crime levels will deteriorate in one or two years.

Their level of happiness slipped from 91 per cent to 85 per cent.

President Viriya Vorakitikun said ThaiView conducted a survey of 500 people in Bangkok. The findings suggest that overall people are less happy and worry more about their lives.

"This has impacted their behaviour," he said.

The majority of 79 per cent has started

to cut unnecessary expenditures and 40

per cent are also thinking more before

buying and 33 per cent save more through banks.

In the quarter, the score on travelling and relaxation, which is usually high, has decreased. People are reducing recreational activities in community areas, such as watching movies or going to department stores, indicating that they are concerned more about their own safety.

The share of people confident in the economic situation has declined considerably, from 45 per cent six months ago to 25 per cent in the trimester.

Lower-income people at 18 per cent have the least confidence in the current economic situation.

Bangkok people increased their income by having a sideline job (14 per cent), working in more than one place (7 per cent) and selling goods (8 per cent).

About 18 per cent of people aged 50 and up and 19 per cent of lower-income people said they were unhappy with their quality of life at the present time.

ThaiView also surveyed attitudes to-wards retirement and found that one of three perceived that 60 years is the usual age for retirement. However, 46 per cent of people aged 25-29 expect to retire earlier than 60. About 31 per cent of the high-income group plan to retire between 50 and 55.

About 68 per cent will not start to plan their retirement until they are 40. In fact, half of those over 40 have not yet planned their retirement.

Their retirement plan generally consists of health protection (21 per cent), income generation such as having their own business (18 per cent), savings (18 per cent) and insurance (18 per cent).

People feel that retirement is a time for relaxation (41 per cent) and peace (28 per cent), while people aged 25-29 feel think it is a time that they can do anything they want, such as keeping pets, exercising and travelling.

Overall, people in Bangkok feel less happy with their quality of life compared to the last six months' findings. They anticipate more economic fluctuations and are more careful about their spending.

Also yesterday, Nielsen Media Research reported a 0.48-per-cent drop in media spending in the first half compared to last year.

Last month, advertising spending slid by 6.16 per cent to Bt7.2 billion, with declines of 11.8 per cent on TV advertising, 4.1 per cent on radio spots and 1.8 per cent and 8.09 per cent on newspaper and magazine ads. Spending on outdoor advertising materials declined by 6.06 per cent and by 15.6 per cent for mobile advertising units.

Only cinema ads and in-store ads enjoyed growth, of 116 per cent and 65.5 per cent respectively.

The top-10 advertising spenders in June were Jatukam Ramathep (Bt118 million), AIS cellular service (Bt63 million), Colgate-Palmolive toothpaste (Bt58 million), Ponds skincare (Bt53 million), M energy drink (Bt52 million), Toyota pickups (Bt48 million), Toyota offroad vehicles (Bt42 million), GSM mobile phones (Bt41.5 million), Oil of Olay Facial Skincare (Bt41.4 million), and Attack laundry detergent (Bt38 million).