TDRI QUARTERLY REVIEW

Volume 37, No. 01, Month MARCH, Year 2022, Pages 17 - 37

The progress of timebank development in thailand a case study on timebanks under the supervision of the department of older persons

Pontakorn Vorapamorn, Nonarit Bisonyabut

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Thailand became an elderly society in 2005 when 10 percent of the total population comprised elderly people, according to a report by the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute (TGRI). Moreover, Thailand will become a super-aged society by 2031;1 at that time 20 percent or more of the total population will be aged 65 and older. In this regard, Thailand’s healthcare systems, economy, and society will experience various impacts due to being an elderly society, especially scarcity of younger people to fill the gaps in elderly care, a situation which could adversely affect the quality of well-being for the elderly. Thus, it is important that mechanisms be found to prevent adverse effects. The concept of a timebank has been suggested as one mechanism to reduce some adverse effects of an elderly society; timebanks are expected to be used to complement current elderly care systems. However, given that implementation is still at an early stage, understanding of strengths and weaknesses of using a timebank is important to ensure that the development of timebanks in Thailand takes the right direction. This article is aimed at assessing the progress of implementing a timebank under the supervision of Thailand’s Department of Older Persons and to demonstrate some of the benefits that the community could take from a timebank

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