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Published on February 10, 2008

The Abac Poll Research Centre study questioned 2,384 youths aged 12 to 19 in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. It was conducted from February 1 through Friday.

Centre director Noppadon Kannikar said it showed most teenagers could easily buy cigarettes. They needed to walk an average of just seven minutes from their homes to do so. Online games at Internet cafes were within 15 minutes and sex-entertainment areas 30 minutes, Noppadon said.

The study found 55.7 per cent of teenagers live with parents and relatives, while 50.3 per cent live elsewhere. About 85.4 per cent receive money from parents. Almost 69 per cent said their parents fought while 25.5 per cent said their parents were separated and 5 per cent had lost their parents.

Grade-point averages in 53.7 per cent of cases were excellent, 25.6 per cent average and 14.9 per cent poor.

Among those with excellent school records, 63.1 per cent never skipped class. However, 74.4 per cent of those with poor school records did.

The Nation