FWIW I live in a small semi-rural community in Krabi province, but it's an easy assumption to make. :) Also I did live in Bangkok for several years so I guess it's only a few years off temporally.
If anything I feel the people are happier here than in Bangkok which was by far wealthier and full of (traditional) economic opportunity. Here it's a combination of tourism in the nearby beach areas and lots of agricultural business (rubber, pineapples, etc).
As long as money isn't a problem it's not something making you unhappy.
Having more than you need isn't going to directly make you happy, it can certainly help indirectly though.
Instead the things that make people happy are mostly family and community in my experience.
With that in mind there is a lot of reasons for people to be happy here - beautiful scenery, clean air, close community (I know pretty much everyone in my neighbourhood) and very active Chinese shines, Muslim mosques and Thai buddhist temples. Family life here is good, it's safe, there are good schools etc.
I used to think other things were more important but since moving here I have come to appreciate that these things are what matter and why people stay.
If anything I feel the people are happier here than in Bangkok which was by far wealthier and full of (traditional) economic opportunity. Here it's a combination of tourism in the nearby beach areas and lots of agricultural business (rubber, pineapples, etc).
As long as money isn't a problem it's not something making you unhappy. Having more than you need isn't going to directly make you happy, it can certainly help indirectly though.
Instead the things that make people happy are mostly family and community in my experience.
With that in mind there is a lot of reasons for people to be happy here - beautiful scenery, clean air, close community (I know pretty much everyone in my neighbourhood) and very active Chinese shines, Muslim mosques and Thai buddhist temples. Family life here is good, it's safe, there are good schools etc.
I used to think other things were more important but since moving here I have come to appreciate that these things are what matter and why people stay.