EQ of Thai children below standard over past decade

BANGKOK, June 26 (TNA) - The Ministry of Public Health's Mental Health Department says that the emotional quotient (EQ) of Thai children has been detected to be below standard over the past decade, as they appear to lack determination, prompting parties concerned to speed up providing the Thai youths and their families with learning stimulants. Mental Health Department Director-General Dr. Narong Sahamethapat acknowledged Tuesday surveys over the past four years found that the EQ of Thai children aged 6-11 had dropped from 186.42 points in 2002 to 179.58 in 2007 and 169.72 in 2011. Dr. Narong revealed that his department and partners are, therefore, introducing learning stimulants to local children and their families, covering encouraging parents and guardians to hug their children and to give them morale support. Besides, the concerned authorities are developing district-based systems to monitor children’s mental health so that those with mental problems can quickly reach treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Panpimol Wipulakorn, Director of the Bangkok-based Rajanukul Institute, said that the average EQ of the surveyed Thai children was 45.12 points, below the standard range of 50-100 points. Dr. Panpimol noted that the EQ of the surveyed Thai children peaked in the South, followed by those in the North, Bangkok and the Central Plain, and that the lowest EQ of the surveyed Thai youths was recorded in the Northeast. (TNA)