EEC development to support the aging society

"Aging Society" is a global issue that the United Nations (UN) has foreseen the world's major problems that will arise in the future. This era is a century of aging that is rapidly increasing.

At present, Thailand is entering an aging society because there is 16.06% of the population over the age of 60 of all the country. It tends to enter the Age Society, with more than 20% of the total population over the age of 60 in 2023. The proportion of the elderly population will increase to 28% by 2033, a level known as the Super Aged Society. According to the survey of research from several well-known institutions has found that older people are moving from their old place of employment to a new place of residence that facilitates late-life living with reasons for the subject of living expenses as well as in terms of convenience and availability of utilities that are suitable for lifestyle during the ages.

In the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which will be developed into an economic area, there is a smart city and a high expansion of the city. Urban development guidelines in the EEC area should accelerate the development of infrastructure to support the aging society. Whether it is a medical facility, attractions for the elderly, facilities and safety directly to the elderly, transportation service point, residential area, and food service that are conducive to the elderly. In some EEC areas, it has been developed into an Age Society City for older people to recall the days when they were young, and to attract older people with a lot of purchasing power to live in.

If it was asked about the value that it is suitable or not to develop a tourist city for the elderly. The answer is the value comes in a variety of forms, whether it is a monetary value or mental value. When we look at the overall of our EEC area of Thailand, the value may be greater because of the location, climate, cost of living, and Thai hospitality. These reasons can attract the retiree foreigners to stay in our country, Thailand. It can be seen from the EEC area, nowadays there are foreign communities already established, such as the Japanese community in Sriracha, Chiang Mai, or other westerners who have agreed to come to have slow life in Thailand.

Moreover, Thailand has proven and seen to the world of its “medical and public health system” through which we can control the spread of COVID-19 as one of the best in the world. We will have to look again at our strengths. In addition to attracting tourists, the investors “foreign elderly” may be one of the most important sources of funds and income in the direction of the future development of the EEC area.

Images and information: Bangkok Business Newspaper website