Many regard an age extension as "stealing jobs from the new generation". These comments are perhaps a result of limited understanding about the vital role which senior personnel can play.
The real issue for an age extension in fact goes beyond keeping older people at work longer. This is because Thailand is becoming an ageing society, with people aged 60 and over accounting for 11 million,or more than 10% of the population.
By 2027 it will become a completely ageing society with this group making up more than 20% of the total.
Not only there will be more older people, but also a smaller labour force as a result of the decreasing birth rate. Two implications from these demographic changes are shortages of labour and income security.