The government is being urged to better protect the elderly from abuse and neglect and safeguard their rights as the country moves towards an ageing society.
Pattaraporn Khongboon, of the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute (TGRI), said the country is urgently in need of what she calls "guardians" to prevent abuse of the elderly.
She said a guardian would not only help the elderly conduct their daily activities, but also keep them safe from abuse which ranges from financial to emotional abuse as well as neglect.
The guardian would also make sure their rights and benefits are protected.
Ms Pattaraporn, who is looking at ways to protect the rights of the elderly, says the best guardians would be family members.
She also stressed the need to increase public awareness about elderly people's rights and educate them about abuse so they know when to report it to the authorities.
She said government officials should also provide legal advice and necessary information to help prevent financial abuse.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Anantaporn Kanjanarat, meanwhile, has acknowledged problems the elderly face.
Citing research findings about the elderly, Gen Anantaporn said they suffer emotional abuse the most, including being subject to unkind words and neglect.
He said the research findings are in line with data from the Social Assistance Centre Hotline which found the number of elderly people being neglected has increased 10-fold in the last three years.
The minister also said elderly people are increasingly more vulnerable to financial abuse by being cheated by family members or others seeking to take advantage of them.
According to Gen Anantaporn, the number of recorded cases of elderly people being conned stood at 70 in 2015, but jumped alarmingly to 700 in 2016.
On physical abuse, he said this is often carried out by family members or carers who suffer from substance abuse or mental problems.
Poranee Phuprasert, of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), said the agency is taking steps to raise public awareness about the issue.
She said the organisation is also willing to join others in pushing for policy to safeguard elderly people's rights and protect them from abuse.
