Burma promotes 5x5 policy to overcome population crisis and prepare for Thailand's aging society
Burma promotes 5x5 policy to overcome population crisis and prepare for Thailand's aging society at the Asia-Pacific Social Policy Forum
October 23, 2567 Ms. Chatuporn Rojanaphanich, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security revealed that Mr. Anukun Piedkaew, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security He was assigned to attend the Regional Social Policy Conference, East Asia and Pacific, along with Ms. Aphinya Chomphumas, Director-General of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and officials of relevant agencies on 22-23 October 2567 in Kuching, Malaysia, which is a meeting under the collaboration between UNICEF and the Social Welfare Research Centre (SWWRC), University of Malaya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Development (KPWK), Malaysia.
Ms. Chatuporn said that yesterday (22 Oct. 67) she participated in a lecture on the topic “Ageing Trends in East Asia and the Pacific: Challenges and Ways Forward for Social Policies” It points out the challenges arising from the rapid change in population structure towards an aging society, which has a significant impact on the structure of Thai society. Thailand has prepared to support an aging society in many dimensions, such as enacting laws, namely the Older Persons Act B.E. 2546 and its amendments, and developing a long-term strategy for the elderly, namely the Action Plan for the Elderly, Phase 3 (2566-2580). In addition, Thailand has a social protection system that covers all age groups, including a social security system, social services, and social assistance for the elderly.
However, Thailand still faces challenges in social protection due to the aging society, such as budget constraints, declining working-age population and health problems of the elderly. In addition, climate change affects the elderly in remote areas, making it necessary to adjust policies to suit the changing situation.
Ms. Chatuporn continued that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has driven the policy. “5×5 Let's Turn the Tide” Which is the policy of Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security To cope with the challenge of changing population structure by focusing on integrated work for people of all ages, including empowering working-age people, increasing the quality and productivity of children and youth: young but full of quality, building the power of the elderly, turning the population crisis into an opportunity, increasing opportunities and enhancing the value of people with disabilities, and creating an appropriate ecosystem (Eco-system) to develop family stability.
Ms. Jatuporn added that at the end of her presentation, she emphasized Thailand’s readiness to work closely with all countries in the region and relevant stakeholders to jointly turn the population crisis into new opportunities. The cooperation and exchange of experiences at this conference will help Thailand and the region develop social policies that effectively meet the needs of the aging population, with the aim of transforming the challenges from changing population structures into opportunities for social development in the future.
The Regional Social Policy Conference, East Asia and Pacific is an important forum for policymakers from relevant government agencies, researchers, demographers and practitioners in child development, public finance and social protection to review the role of social protection in addressing societal challenges, particularly recognizing the links between population ageing, child-responsible social policies and economic productivity, and to exchange experiences and knowledge to explore practical solutions in the region, as well as to strengthen networks to enhance ongoing support.
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