Picture a society where no one dies unloved and alone

Locals noticed the 85-year-old’s lifeless body in front of the monks’ living quarters inside Krokkark Temple that morning. Pan had more than Bt1.5 million in his bank account at the time he passed away, but he had no loved one by his side. 

Despite having spent more than 30 years as a scavenger or occasionally a beggar, he had amassed quite a sizeable sum. 

“Pan walked in and deposited more than Bt1 million in cash when he opened his bank account,” reported a female bank teller.  

She recounted how Pan would visit the bank every now and then, sometimes in a new shirt.

“He told me the shirts were gifts from his children,” the teller said. This piece of information says much about the wishes of a lonely old man and echoes those of many others his age. 

A few days after Pan’s death, a 65-year-old woman was found dead at her unregistered home in Pathum Thani province. Locals knew her as a dessert vendor but knew nothing of her family background. 

Pao, as she was known locally, had apparently not received a visit from relatives in more than two decades preceding her lonely death. 

It took a few days before neighbours noticed that she had disappeared and so went to check on her house. 

A police investigation revealed no signs of a struggle. She appeared to have died a natural death. 

Found inside her little house were 150 grams of gold and just over Bt50,000 in cash. But she had no one. 

Police said they were trying to trace her relatives so that she could receive a proper funeral. 

But even after her passing became big news, no one came forward. 

Pan and Pao are just two examples of the fate faced by many elderly people – a lonely death. 

Thai society is no longer full of extended families. Only one third of Thai family households now have members from three generations – children, parents and grandparents. 

Gone are the days when seniors can expect the support of younger family members in their daily life. 

A 2014 report showed that nearly 9 per cent of elderly Thais live alone. About 19 per cent lived with just a spouse and, as such, could one day find themselves alone. 

With old age often comes health problems. Of the elderly population, 41 per cent have blood-pressure issues. About 18 per cent struggle with diabetes. Some nine per cent live with degenerative conditions of the knee joint. 

Those who live alone are especially vulnerable if their symptoms flare up or if disaster strikes.

The all-too-frequent tragedy of a lonely death should prompt all sectors of society to think harder about improving care for seniors. 

The fact that one third of Thais will be aged over 60 by 2031 underlines the need for everyone to give elderly issues more serious thought. 

We would do better to prepare now, than feel sorry later. 

Thailand’s infrastructure, for one, is far from elderly-friendly. The long, high step from the pavement onto a bus can be torture, or merely impossible, for many seniors. 

Those who can afford to ride the underground or Skytrain often fare no better, faced with several flights of stairs because elevators are either lacking or not working. 

Experts from various fields recently gathered to brainstorm ideas on how to make life easier for Thailand’s rapidly greying population. 

In terms of infrastructure, universal design standards could ensure that even as we grow old and less mobile we can maintain our normal public lives. It would still be possible to run daily errands, to visit relatives, to see doctors, and to hang out with friends. 

Experts point out that seniors who are physically and mentally fit to work should have job opportunities that offer regular income and social interaction. 

Meanwhile those in frail health should have support networks to ensure they are never abandoned to a lonely life or worse. 

Think about the elderly today, about their needs. Reach out to them. Saying goodbye to youth should not mean waving farewell to the simple joys of life. More importantly, no one on this Earth deserves a lonely death. 

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