Social Development Minister Nikom Opens Bang Khae Day Care Center as Model for Comprehensive Elderly Care

As Thailand transitions into a fully aged society, elderly care is no longer solely a family matter but a critical responsibility for the entire Thai social system that must work together to create support spaces enabling seniors to live meaningful, healthy lives while maintaining connections with family, community, and society.

On April 29, 2026, Social Development and Human Security Minister Nikom Somglang led ministry executives to visit the Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Center in Bangkok and officially opened the Day Care Center for the Elderly, which serves as an important model for comprehensive elderly care. The delegation was accompanied by Chokechai Wichian-Chaiaya, Director-General of the Department of Elderly Affairs, and representatives from relevant agencies. The minister toured various activities and services including handcrafted products by seniors, the innovative Snoezelen room, a cognitive and memory rehabilitation area, and spent time encouraging elderly participants with care packages.

Minister Nikom stated that Thailand has fully entered an aged society with the elderly population expected to continuously increase, potentially reaching 20% of the national population within a decade. Therefore, preparing comprehensive elderly care systems at all levels—family, community, and institutional—is both necessary and urgent.

The Day Care Center opening represents more than just a daytime service facility; it creates a living space where seniors can engage in group activities, receive rehabilitation, participate in recreational programs, and maintain regular social interaction—the core of the "Active Ageing" concept promoting independence, vitality, and sustained social engagement while minimizing time spent homebound or bedridden.

The minister noted that elderly day care centers extend beyond Bangkok, with the Department of Elderly Affairs operating through 12 social welfare development centers nationwide to ensure elderly care reaches all regions. Beyond direct care, these centers play an important role in educating society that elderly care should focus on prevention and health promotion rather than waiting for illness or dependency, as maintaining friendships, participating in activities, and staying connected with family and community are crucial factors in reducing risks of physical, mental, and cognitive diseases.

The minister further announced that the ministry has an elderly fund as a support mechanism for senior activities and plans in 2026 to expand caregiver and elder rights protection programs to cover every subdistrict nationwide, ensuring community-based care while creating employment and building an elderly care system linked to grassroots community economics.