Songkran family joy masks fear of a lonely death in ageing Thailand
The long Songkran holiday is Thailand's annual window for family get-togethers. However, as social structures break down, the traditional New Year holiday joy is being eroded by a deep anxiety: the fear of dying alone.
"I have siblings and relatives, but we are not really close," said B, an elderly woman who requested anonymity. "Every time I read news reports about people dying and going unnoticed for days or months, I imagine myself in the same situation.”
After years of living alone and rarely speaking to her neighbours, B sees a nursing home as her inevitable next step when she can no longer care for herself.
"My focus now is on staying physically and mentally well while saving as much money as I can," she said.
She spoke to ThaiPBS World just days before Thailand marks National Elderly Day and National Family Day on April 13 and 14, during the three-day Songkran holiday.
A nation ageing in silence
According to official figures, more than 20% of Thais – nearly 14 million people – are now aged 60 or over, cementing Thailand's status as an "aged society". Meanwhile, a 2024 survey by the National Statistical Office (NSO) found that 12.9% of the elderly live alone, a nearly fourfold increase from 3.6% in 1994. This surging population of isolated seniors is fuelling anxiety that if an accident or health crisis occurs, it may go unnoticed for weeks or longer.
Recent headlines have brought that fear to life. In Buri Ram, the body of an 81-year-old man was discovered in his home at least five days after he died, while in Chon Buri, a 61-year-old woman was found dead in her room after days during which her absence went unnoticed. No foul play is suspected, with police putting their deaths down to natural causes.
As the annual list of solitary deaths grows, so does the anxiety that many would still be alive if medical aid had reached them on time. When these deaths occur, adult children often cite the need to work far from home as the reason they lived away from their parents.
Over a third (35.7%) of elderly Thais rely on their children financially, while 33.9% are forced to continue working to make ends meet, according to the 2024 NSO survey. Only 6.8% had a pension that covered their daily expenses, while just 1.6% had enough in savings or assets to live a comfortable life.
A hidden crisis
The situation may be even worse than the statistics suggest, according to Asst Prof Nattapat Sarobol of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Social Administration.
"We knocked on the doors of more than 2,000 homes and found that over 50% of seniors lived alone," she said, citing a survey conducted in areas under the jurisdiction of the Bueng Yitho Municipality, part of Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi district.
Regardless of their living arrangements, many of the seniors surveyed were either psychologically distressed or situationally at-risk, she added.
"Many of them live with relatives but still feel they are on their own. This group faces the risk of depression and self-harm," the academic noted.
Those categorised as situationally at risk live with their family but are left on their own for long periods. This may be because their children or grandchildren leave home early and return late at night, or only on weekends.
"This means that if there is an accident or medical emergency during the day, nobody will notice or help them," the university lecturer said.
Longer lifespans have also pushed many elderly Thais into the status of caregivers, burdened with bedridden spouses or dependent children or grandchildren.
Anutin's pledge
Delivering his government’s policy statement to Parliament on April 9, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to strengthen families and households as a central pillar of a stable national economy.
Thailand is on course to become a super-aged society by 2033, when at least 20% of the population will be 65 or older.
While Anutin listed several measures to prepare for this future – including a "silver" economy and building state-run shelters for the elderly – he also urged a return to traditional values. Noting that private nursing homes are expensive while state-run facilities are overburdened, he said Thais should build stronger bonds with their families, "filling them with love and warmth".
Building a future fit for all
Asst Prof Nattapat pointed out that elderly Thais living on their own face a variety of different challenges and needs. Hence, specific solutions must be devised for each group.
"We need to identify all the different categories of solitary seniors and work out solutions," she said.
While health volunteers are effective in caring for old people in rural areas, they may encounter difficulties accessing seniors in urban areas.
Nattapat said isolated elderly people are often fearful and reluctant to let others approach them. Those living in housing projects may also be shielded by security guards who bar entry to outsiders.
Adisak Guntamueanglee believes urban design is the key to dismantling the barriers created by Thailand’s shifting demographics.
"Our cities should be designed to enable people of all ages to live well," said Adisak, deputy director for Urban Intelligence at the Urban Design and Development Centre.
He argued that upgrades to security, infrastructure, health, services, and participatory policymaking were vital to preventing the burdens of an ageing society from overwhelming Thailand.
"Make sure cities are safe for living, travelling, and accessing medical help," he emphasised. "Healthcare services should be easily accessible, especially for the elderly."
Infrastructure details such as non-slip floors, modified toilets, lifts, CCTVs around rest areas, and easy emergency reporting are also important. He said participation should also be encouraged by giving older individuals a role to play in their communities.
"Don't exclude them," he said, adding that seniors should be allowed to live where they are most comfortable rather than being forced to move out of their home or community just because they are old.
By Thai PBS World’s General Desk