The Government has adjusted the Action Plan for Older Persons, 2020-2022, to prepare for Thailand entering a “super-aged” society in the next 10 years.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that the Government had included an aging society in the national agenda. Next year, the number of people aged 60 and over in Thailand would account for 20 percent of the population, and it is expected to reach 28 percent in 2031 when Thailand becomes a super-aged society.
The National Committee for Senior Citizens, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, has worked with several relevant agencies in adjusting the Action Plan for Older Persons, 2020-2022, aimed at improving the quality of life of senior citizens so that they would be developed as a powerful force for society.
In the action plan, members of Thai society will be urged to be aware of their preparations for becoming senior citizens. The working-aged population will be provided with a better understanding of preparing themselves in terms of income, health, and living areas.
The action plan calls for positive attitudes toward older persons among the population aged between 18 and 59 years. Greater opportunities will be provided for older persons to be employed after their retirement age. A target has been set for 195,000 senior citizens to be employed in 2021.
As for older persons in poor families, their children and grandchildren will be urged to return to their hometown to live with and take care of them. In this regard, the national budget must be allocated to generate employment in local areas.
Moreover, small schools will be turned into community development centers for older persons, since the number of new-born babies is becoming less than that of older persons.
Savings will be promoted so that working-aged people will have money to spend after their retirement. In addition, the production and training of personnel in taking care of older persons will also be promoted.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department
12 September 2020
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