BANGKOK, Thailand – Thammasat University Hospital is expanding elderly care services through the Thammasat Thammarak Hospice to address rising demand for geriatric healthcare as Thailand’s population ages. As of September 30, 2026, Thailand had approximately 14.53 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 22.46 percent of the population. The World Health Organization projects that the proportion will reach 31 percent by 2040.
Associate Professor Dr. Chatchai Mingmalairak, Director of the Thammasat Thammarak Hospice, said the center offers integrated palliative care, rehabilitation, and long-term care services. Facilities include a six-storey geriatric medicine building with 160 beds, a dental center for older adults, an elderly clinic, and a day care service. The center aims to reduce the burden on families, ease pressure on hospitals, control long-term care costs, address workforce shortages, and improve continuity of care.
In 2027, the hospital will collaborate with Thammasat University’s Faculty of Nursing to introduce long-term residential care for older adults who can manage daily activities independently. The hospital also plans to establish an intensive care unit for elderly patients who require mechanical ventilation. These initiatives seek to expand care options and strengthen the healthcare system’s response to Thailand’s growing elderly population. (NNT)
