Nine happy places

Thailand Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and for good reason. The Thais have at least a dozen types of smiles, not all of them expressing contentment. The Thais remind us that the smile is more a social than a personal gesture (though it can be that, too). Thailand ranks in the middle latitudes of the happiness map, yet that doesn’t tell the full picture. The Thais know instinctively that one of the secrets to happiness is to lead an unexamined life. ‘‘You think too much’’ is a common Thai expression. So is ‘‘mai pen lai,’’ which roughly translates as ‘‘just let it go.’’ Not bad advice for uptight Westerners. DISCUSS What destinations make you happy? GLOBE Analyzing happiness is a growth industry DISCUSS What would be on your bucket list?
Thailand

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and for good reason. The Thais have at least a dozen types of smiles, not all of them expressing contentment. The Thais remind us that the smile is more a social than a personal gesture (though it can be that, too). Thailand ranks in the middle latitudes of the happiness map, yet that doesn’t tell the full picture. The Thais know instinctively that one of the secrets to happiness is to lead an unexamined life. ‘‘You think too much’’ is a common Thai expression. So is ‘‘mai pen lai,’’ which roughly translates as ‘‘just let it go.’’ Not bad advice for uptight Westerners.

(UNIMEDIA IMAGES/Ludovic Cazeba, Text by Eric Weiner/Globe Correspondent)