As the population of Thailand ages, more and more seniors will require housing and private property firms are interested in developing housing projects for this segment, The Nation reported. The newspaper cited research from the National Statistical Office of the Information and Communications Technology Ministry that showed 15.7 percent of Thailand’s population will be over 65 years old by 2030. This means it will be classified by the United Nations as an aging society.
At the moment 10.5 percent of the country’s population is over 60, according to the National Statistical Office. Many property firms have noticed this trend and are looking into developing homes specifically for seniors. These will be designed to cater to the needs and lifestyles of an aging demographic.
“We are joining with SCG Eldercare Solution to design our residential projects to serve the lifestyles of seniors, such as including bathrooms that suit their needs, shock-absorbing floors, and other safety systems,” NC Housing managing director Somchao Tanterdtham told The Nation.
Sansiri president Srettha Thavisin said the developer was also studying senior-targeted developments, but it is waiting for demand in this market segment to improve before planning anything. The Nation noted that Pruksa Real Estate was another developer who has begun to study home designs that would make it easier for seniors to stay with their families.
LPN has designed most of its condominiums with the needs of all family members, including children, working-age people and the elderly, in mind, managing director Opas Sripayak stated. He added that homes designed for seniors must come equipped with safety features as well as relaxing areas, green areas and safe ways for them to walk around the project.
The developer was behind Sawangkanives, Thailand’s first condominium project for retired people. The project is equipped with facilities such as these which are required by elderly tenants. The project also has staff who specialize in senior care, The Nation reported.
“We have the experience from jointly developing the second phase of Sawangkanives with the Thai Red Cross Society in 2002. We learned what they want and have applied [this knowledge] so our new condominium projects serve all family members, especially seniors, since last year,” Opas pointed out.
Image: Sawangkanives, Thailand’s first condominium project for retired people
