Thai Ministry Aids 25 Elderly in Iron Cage Beds
Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is assisting 25 elderly persons found in iron‑cage beds at care facilities while 79 others undergo mental‑health evaluations. The ministry has ordered nationwide inspections of elder‑care standards and plans to improve mental‑health services and coordinate with families and agencies to ensure proper care. Initial data show 104 service users in the centers, with the Kanchanaburi team already processing protection for the 25 elderly.
The ministry is rushing to help 25 elderly persons in iron‑cage beds at care centers, coordinating with relatives to find alternative accommodation, while another 79 persons are undergoing mental‑health evaluations. On October 7, 2026, Minister Nikorn Somglang of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security said that, following reports of family conflicts and involuntary admission of elderly to care centers, the ministry is concerned and committed to protecting public welfare and has not remained idle. It has urgently directed all provincial ministry teams to conduct field inspections and strictly review standards of elder and disability care centers to guarantee service users’ safety and human rights. Going forward, the ministry will elevate mental‑health care in its affiliated centers and integrate with relevant agencies to develop and increase personnel to sustainably support an aging society. The minister added that, based on preliminary information, there are 104 service users in total. The Health Service Support Department of the Ministry of Public Health has coordinated with the Director‑General of the Mental Health Department to send medical teams and experts to thoroughly assess the physical and mental condition of those in the centers and to screen them before deciding on further medical care. Regarding the ministry’s actions, the Kanchanaburi provincial team has carried out protection and assistance for the elderly service users who have been screened, totaling 104 persons, divided into 25 elderly—two residing in Kanchanaburi and 23 from other provinces. The remaining 79 service users are not elderly and are currently undergoing mental‑health evaluation. The ministry’s subsequent work plan focuses on three urgent matters: 1) arranging temporary placement in suitable facilities for those without family who can take them in; 2) coordinating with families to enable those who can return home to do so safely and appropriately; 3) liaising with provincial social development offices of the relevant provinces for those whose families or domicile are elsewhere, to provide follow‑up assistance and monitoring.
