Maintaining the welfare of Thailand’s aged

Thailand’s senior citizenry will likely double in number by 2571 BE, as will the dependency rate of elders to working age citizens, so that society’s care burden for its elderly will fall on the nation’s working population sooner than before.

A government retirement savings fund for 26 million informal labourers will now let workers choose a regular method for payment into a Government Savings Plan, in which the government will pay the central portion.

While old age income security is important for Thai society, for a decent and happy retirement for the elderly, other government welfare may also be needed:

1. Work provision
The government should ensure suitable employment for healthy senior citizens who want to work, enabling them to reduce their economic dependency and live with dignity.

1) Set up a training centre to find suitable jobs, and provide consultancy and professional training for the elderly.

2) Provide free career and investment consultancy for the elderly.

2. Education
Development of life-long learning
Life-long learning should not be limited by age or education level. Elderly people should have access to any education or learning experience of interest to them, linking local community activities with education centres, and even fostering cross-generational interaction.

Senior education
The elderly should have access to education opportunities, for example, via mobile libraries and mobile volunteer teachers. Countrywide multi-purpose centres will conveniently provide learning facilities and opportunities for physical exercise and recreational activities. The economic dimension of the elderly should also be considered.

Varied curricula
Senior citizens should have a varied choice of education courses, possibly within school environments, and suited to their economic conditions. University developed curricula for the elderly can be run in monthly or weekly programmes that integrate practical, and career knowledge with wisdom for daily life.

3. Social health
Since fast-paced public health development has led to longer life expectancies; the government should highlight the social health conditions of the elderly, for example

Specialized hospitals for the elderly
To cut long medical service delays, reduce general hospital congestion and treat common old-age diseases, increased health services could be provided for the elderly, as well as various clubs and activities of particular interest to them.

Community Homes for the Elderly
Most elderly folk are left alone by day and could be lonely or without care, thus the government could encourage the establishment of "Community Homes for the Elderly" to enable them to meet and enjoy activities together, while being properly cared for by qualified personnel, hired for this objective.

Senior welfare provision needs to be systematically developed with respect to the entire components of human life. Solely emphasizing the financial provision of the elderly is insufficient to their sense of wellbeing. While the prime responsibility for care of the elderly lies with the government; the private and social sectors of society should also be encouraged to care for the aged. The government should let other sectors in society share in this responsibility so that the elderly will be properly taken care of, and can live their lives with dignity and contentment.

Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, kriengsak.com, drdancando.com