Population Ageing and the Well-Being of Older Persons in Thailand ...

Section 6: Policy and Programme Responses
development were outlined, namely, human resources,
social protection, income security and community
participation (NESDB 2005). As a result the current
Plan includes extensive recognition of the
implications of the rapid change in the age structure
of Thai population and encourages collaboration
within and between the public and private sectors of
Thai society to prepare for the coming population
ageing. The 10th Plan thus represents a significant
step forward in integrating issues related to
population ageing into the mainstream national
development agenda.
National Declaration and Long-Term Plans for
Elderly. Thus far Thailand adopted two major
national plans for its older persons. The first plan,
known as the Long-Term Plan for the Elderly in
Thailand (1986-2001), was developed following the
1st World Assembly on Ageing organized by the
United Nations in 1982 in Vienna. The Plan
outlined policies and strategies in five areas: health,
education, income stability and employment, social
and cultural integration, and social welfare (MSDHS
2007). It emphasized efforts to enable the elderly to
be self reliant and the family to provide support and
care for its elderly members. Community support of
elderly was also encouraged. Subsequently, a
working committee was established to formulate
long-term policies and measures for the elderly to help
accelerate welfare actions of state organizations
(Mujahid 2006).
During the latter 1990s, government concern about
rapid population ageing in Thailand increased and led
to further efforts to address the issue. In 1999 the
government issued the “Declaration on Thailand’s
Older Persons”to coincide with the International Year
of Older Persons. The Declaration stated the rights
of older persons and measures of protection and
asserted the value and contribution of older persons
to Thai society. In so doing it represented a
commitment of the government to ensure the wellbeing
of Thai older persons with respect to health,
quality of life, and social integration through
collaborative efforts within and between the public
and private sectors (MSDHS 2007).
Also in 1999, the Government established the
National Commission on the Elderly on an ad hoc
basis. The Commission formulated the Second
National Plan for Older Persons covering the period
2002-2021. The final version was issued in 2002.
The plan has five main objectives: 1) to increase
recognition of the value of older persons to society; 2)
to promote preparations for quality ageing; 3) to
assure the dignity, independence, quality of life and
security of older persons; 4) to encourage individuals,
families, communities, and public and private
entities to participate in tasks concerning the elderly
and 5) to establish practical criteria, guidelines and
documentation to foster effective collaboration among
societal sectors in efforts related to the elderly. To
achieve these goals, the Plan incorporates a number
of strategies including the development of a social
protection system for elderly, research to support policy
and programmes, and monitoring and assessing the
national plan implementation. The Plan, together
with the Act on Older Persons 2003 (see below)
provide the current policy framework for welfare
promotion, protection, and empowerment of older
persons throughout the country.
Enactment of laws and regulations concerning
older persons. Thai civil and criminal law
incorporates the duty of children to provide care and
support for elderly parents and modest punishments
for persons who abuse older persons. Enforcement of
these laws thus far has been lax. A major legal
advancement to guarantee support and welfare for the
elderly was provided by the former 1997
Constitution. Article 54 explicitly states that persons
age 60 and over with insufficient income are entitled
to state assistance. Article 80 further stipulates that
the government provide welfare for elderly and other
vulnerable groups to ensure their quality of life and
self-reliance.
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