Problems in Perception and Access to Information Regarding the Aged Welfare

Abstract

This research aims to study the laws, regulations, and various provisions related to promoting the welfare of the elderly in Thailand, to examine the roles and involvement of relevant organizations in providing aged welfare, and to study and enhance awareness and access to information regarding aged welfare. The research found that there were many different branches of laws associated with the provision of aged welfare, including the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560; the Elderly Persons Act B.E. 2546; the laws related to social security; the laws of National Education; the laws about promoting social welfare; as well as subsidiary laws such as royal decrees, regulations, ministerial orders, departmental regulations, and various plans at different levels. The research also revealed that the organizations that played a role in providing elderly welfare include central, regional, and local governments. The central government consisted of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Public Health. At the regional level, there were provincial offices of social development and human security, and at the local level, there were local administrative organizations. From the theoretical study and analysis of surveys conducted among the elderly, it was found that the elderly still lacked knowledge and understanding about their rights and welfare. Therefore, the most suitable approach for raising awareness and providing access to information regarding aged welfare should involve the closest and most directly involved people (the elderly), namely, the local administrative organizations. These organizations should actively engage, participate, and communicate knowledge to the elderly population by targeting specific demographic groups within the jurisdiction of each local administrative organization or by having the officers of these organizations personally engage to promote understanding of individual elderly people regarding awareness and access to information.