Former Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has outlined a broad policy agenda aimed at preparing the capital for a rapidly ageing society while continuing efforts to curb PM2.5 pollution, as he remains the frontrunner in the race for the city's top job.
Campaigning at the Yannawa Elderly School on Friday, Mr Chadchart, candidate No.9, said Bangkok must adapt to demographic changes as the capital moves deeper into the realms of an ageing society.
People aged 60 and above now account for 21% of the city's population, with the proportion reaching as high as 35% in some inner-city districts, he said.
Rather than viewing senior citizens as a burden, Mr Chadchart said city policies should focus on three objectives: preventing loneliness, promoting good health and creating income opportunities.
His healthcare proposals include developing the Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital into a comprehensive centre for elderly care, expanding geriatric clinics at city hospitals and public health centres, and increasing support for home-based care.
The campaign pledges to distribute around 20,000 adult diapers per month, increase the number of trained caregivers to 5,000 and use GPS-based monitoring systems to assist more than 6,000 bedridden patients under a programme aimed at expanding healthcare services.
To improve mental well-being among older residents, Mr Chadchart plans to establish elderly schools in all 50 Bangkok districts and increase the number of senior citizens' clubs to 1,000 within four years.
On the economic front, he proposed a skills-matching platform that would connect elderly residents with job opportunities close to their homes, with a target of creating 10,000 positions.
The city would also offer vocational training programmes tailored to older workers, he said.
