CHANGING
LIFESTYLES
Thailand is greying rapidly. Unlike other
developed countries such as Japan and
Singapore, however, Thailand is ill-prepared
for getting old.
Some senior citizens don’t have
adequate financial retirement plans.
Some families are yet not ready to let
their senior citizens enjoy their golden
years. As in the case of Mr Wan and Mr
Noosin, their adult children have called
on their support as babysitters while
they go to work.
“Although life in the city is more
stressful, many young people prefer to
leave the village to work in the city,’’ said
Suvech Jungjit, chief of the local administrative
body in tambon Rai Fai.
The changes should be put in a
broader demographic context, says
Kosit Panpiemras, executive chairman
of Bangkok Bank and also the chairman
of the sub-committee on population
policy under the Office of National Economic
and Social Development Board
(NESDB).
“We are not only dealing with older
people but the bigger issue is overall
demographic change as a result of
modern lifestyles and urbanisation,’’
he said.
Mr Kosit said two main issues are
the changing structure of Thai families
which affects the role of senior citizens,
and building awareness to ensure that
Thais, especially young ones, are sufficiently
prepared for an ageing society.
He said he is worried about the present
generation.
“Traditionally, people from previous