BANGKOK, March 24 (UPI) -- Thailand has experienced economic success but lags behind other countries in quality of life and social development, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.
The information comes from a report by the National Economic and Social Development Board.
The NESDB's social indicator report said poverty had fallen, dropping from 15.9 million people in 1999 to 9.8 million in 2002. However, Thailand still lags far behind many other Asian countries, including Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia in quality of life, educational opportunities, health and environmental protection.
Premature sex has emerged as a big Thai problem; leading to unwanted pregnancies, earlier abortions and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The report said 300,000 abortions were performed each year, with most women seeking abortions between the ages of 14-20 years. The report blamed western culture, pornography and family problems for teenage sex.
