Viewers' happiness level higher

Noppadon Kannika, director of Assumption University's Abac Poll, said the happiness level for the live broadcast of His Majesty's 82nd birthday was 9.86 out of a possible

10 points, up from 9.21 three years ago when people celebrated 60 years of the King's reign.

The average score was obtained from a survey conducted on 1,147 households around the country shortly after the broadcast.

Over 80 per cent of the respondents said they watched the programme while about 19 per cent missed it, Noppadon said.

Asked what they wanted from the country's administrators, 92 per cent said honesty and the avoidance of corruption.

About 87 per cent wanted them to have a conscience and refrain from doing anything wrong.

Over 85 per cent also wanted administrators to apply the sufficiency-economy philosophy, do the best in their jobs and put the country's interests above their own.