PUBLISHED : 12 Apr 2026 at 11:27
Elderly women pose with lotus flowers in Bangkok. (Photo Apichart Jinakul
An opinion survey on elderly Thais by the National Institute of Development Administration found that most of them had little or no income, and yet did not suffer from depression.
Nida surveyed 1,310 people aged 60 years or more from March 30-April 2. The survey was based on a depression test, or “Patient Health Questionnaire”, by Prof Dr Manote Lotrakul of the faculty of medicine at Ramathibodhi Hospital.
The survey found that:
76.64% of respondents did not suffer depression
16.87% had mild depression
5.19% had moderate depression
0.84% suffered severe depression
0.46% had very severe depression
Regarding solutions to depression:
42.43% of respondents said they would talk to family members
36.05% did exercise
34.79% met friends
23.65% used Facebook
21.03% used LINE chat app
8.39% did chores
8.14% played games, watched movies and listened to music
3.88% listened to or cited prayers and meditated
3.00% relaxed alone
2.50% did volunteer work
2.25% travelled, shopped and visited religious places
1.88% used TikTok
1.50% watched YouTube
0.38% took vitamins or anti-anxiety drug
0.25% raised pets like dogs, cats and fish
Regarding their financial status:
33.51% had no income
7.25% had no more than 5,000 baht a month
15.27% had 5,001-10,000 baht a month
15.57% earned 10,000-20,000 baht a month
9.62% earned 20,001-30,000 baht a month
6.18% earned 30,001-40,000 baht a month
3.44% earned 40,001-50,000 baht a month
1.76% earned 50,001-60,000 baht a month
0.31% earned 60,001-70,000 baht a month
0.15% earned 70,001-80,000 baht a month
0.38% earned 80,001 baht and over a month
6.56% did not reveal their income