ID :
172953
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:42
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/172953
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Thai government prepares good life for elderly people
BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in the next 20 years there will be as many as 17 million elderly people in Thailand, and his government is working out measures and plans to guarantee a good life for them.
During his speech to open a week-long fair in the lead-up to the National Day of Aging, Abhisit said the number of senior citizens in Thailand was growing rapidly. In Southeast Asia, Thailand had been following Singapore on the way to becoming an aging society since 2003, with senior citizens accounting for over 10% of the population.
Currently, there are about 7 million elderly people in Thailand. They form 11% of the population. In the next 20 years or by 2030, their number will rise to about 17 million and account for 25% of the population.
The United Nations predicts in the next two decades, two-thirds of elderly people on Earth will live in Asia, presenting a big challenge which will bring about numerous impacts. Authorities must prepare suitable policies, resource management and insurance to guarantee a good life for senior citizens.
The prime minister said his government was seriously preparing for an aging society, and was increasing opportunities and privileges for the elderly. These include tax-related measures to promote saving in the forms of pension-like insurance packages and special services. This is in line with Section 11 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2003. The government is supporting mechanisms to strengthen social security for all groups of people in society. It is pushing for a law to ensure sustainable incomes for all Thai people when they reach an elderly age. (TNA)
During his speech to open a week-long fair in the lead-up to the National Day of Aging, Abhisit said the number of senior citizens in Thailand was growing rapidly. In Southeast Asia, Thailand had been following Singapore on the way to becoming an aging society since 2003, with senior citizens accounting for over 10% of the population.
Currently, there are about 7 million elderly people in Thailand. They form 11% of the population. In the next 20 years or by 2030, their number will rise to about 17 million and account for 25% of the population.
The United Nations predicts in the next two decades, two-thirds of elderly people on Earth will live in Asia, presenting a big challenge which will bring about numerous impacts. Authorities must prepare suitable policies, resource management and insurance to guarantee a good life for senior citizens.
The prime minister said his government was seriously preparing for an aging society, and was increasing opportunities and privileges for the elderly. These include tax-related measures to promote saving in the forms of pension-like insurance packages and special services. This is in line with Section 11 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2003. The government is supporting mechanisms to strengthen social security for all groups of people in society. It is pushing for a law to ensure sustainable incomes for all Thai people when they reach an elderly age. (TNA)
