This study, based on data collected in 2005 from Chai Nat province, examines the level of happiness of the Thai elderly population and its relationship to various external and internal factors. It was found that mean happiness was slightly above a feeling of "neutral." According to multiple regression analyses, external factors including economic hardship, living arrangements, functional ability, perceived social environment, and consumerism significantly influence the level of happiness. The strongest predictor of happiness is, however, the internal factor-that is, a feeling of relative poverty when compared to their neighbors. Controlling for demographic and all external factors, the respondents who do not feel poor show the highest level of happiness compared to those who feel as poor as or poorer than their neighbors. This is self-interpreted as a feeling of contentment with what one has, which has been influenced by Thai culture, which is pervaded by Buddhism.

Measuring housing quality or value or both has been a weak component of demographic and development research in less developed countries that lack an active real estate (housing) market. We describe a new method based on a standardized subjective rating process. It is designed to be used in settings that do not have an active, monetized housing market. The method is applied in an ongoing longitudinal study in north-east Thailand and could be straightforwardly used in many other settings. We develop a conceptual model of the process whereby households come to reside in high-quality or low-quality housing units. We use this theoretical model in conjunction with longitudinal data to show that the new method of measuring housing quality behaves as theoretically expected, thus providing evidence of face validity.

Using data from the Kanchanaburi demographic surveillance system in Thailand, this article documents that tobacco smoke affects 60% of the population. The main effect is through exposure to secondhand smoke. More than half of men are smokers compared with only one tenth of women. Most men tend to start smoking during their teenage years, whereas the majority of women start at later ages. The majority of households are exposed to secondhand smoke. The highest level of exposure is in rural areas. Smokers are most likely to be male and older, but those exposed to secondhand smoke tend to be female and younger. Exposure to secondhand smoke is more likely to occur in households with lower socioeconomic status. Logistic regression analysis supports 2 study hypotheses: that children and women are the most affected by secondhand smoke, and household factors are the most important factors affecting the exposure to secondhand smoke.

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The experience of the Asian and Pa cific region shows a great di versity in lon gi tu di nal re search de signs, the find ings of which are ben e fit ing the un der stand ing of health and de mo graphic trans for ma tions and con trib ut ing to more ef fec tive pol i cies, programmes and ser vices.