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Published on January 5, 2008

Whatever the resolutions, they all aim toward a more contented life, as we tend to believe that happiness lies deep inside the inner self.

But if we are to cite social scientists talking about happiness, we could have it wrong - because they have suggested in many studies that external factors, including the quality of government, determine our happiness as much as anything else.

It is no wonder then, that a survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll showed that 71 per cent of respondents said their happiest moment during the past year was His Majesty the King's full recovery from illness. In short, happiness may not only be what you develop inside of you, but what is out there in the wider world.

On the national plane, the levels of contentment vary through the elite, the middle-classes and the poor. But there is a special case when all Thai people, regardless of their financial status, are deprived of contentment. Unfortunately, we are witnessing this now, as Thais are united in their mourning of the beloved Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away on January 2 - the day the nation woke up from its holiday celebration.

It is a great loss for the nation, and the Princess's death may prove the social scientists right in saying that external factors do affect individuals' happiness. The news has really hit Thai people hard. Every corner of Thailand is in mourning and virtually everything stood still upon hearing the sad news.

Yet to see her death as a purely external factor may not be completely correct: the Princess has a special place in people's hearts and the legacy of her royal work continues to make Thais attached to her. Her lifelong contribution to social work has formed a bond between royalty and the people. To patients sponsored by the Princess' Por Or Sor Wor (The Princess Mother's Medical Volunteer Foundation), the Princess was like an angel who gave them new lives.

"I felt like I was reborn after being sponsored by the foundation," said Piriya "Beer" Jamsai.

The appreciation is the same for every single patient under the Foundation. The Princess helped relieve their suffering from illness but it was her attention to each patient and her caring manner that really won their hearts.

Certainly, the foundation is able to maintain all of its healthcare activities with sufficient funding, but what the rural patients will miss most is the presence of the kind and hard-working Princess. Undoubtedly, they may be as happy as they used to be, but the departure of their beloved Princess would not be considered as an external factor.

The same great loss is felt by students sponsored by the Princess's Fund, who have expressed how they appreciated the Princess's support. It was not the issue of scholarships but more her interest in each student, her moral support and her passion.

"But what really helped was that encouraging smile from Her Royal Highness as she watched me perform... I truly believe we were fortunate to have someone like Princess Galyani to watch over us. One can never put a price on that beautiful smile," writes Dechopol Kowintaweewat, who received financial support from the Music Education Fund for Young Musicians under the Royal Patronage of Princess Galyani.

As the findings show, happiness depends on the way relationships go. People were always happy to receive the Princess's moral support, to see her smile, to witness her passion for the arts and culture and to see her alive and healthy.

She will always be remembered for the way in which she developed close ties to the people and the way in which she carried out her royal duty, from the heart and with passion. That is why she has a special place in the hearts of Thais.

It was her royal duty combined with her love for the people that will always be remembered. Her work set an example for the Thai people. The Princess lived a contented life by giving, and she received love in return.

Perhaps it is a good New Year's resolution: "to live a selfless life and to give more".

 Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation