Chula ARi Pilots Model Community to Tackle the Looming Aging Boom 

Chula ARi, an integrated interdisciplinary project for an urban aging society, uses research to return data to communities and co-develop a comprehensive elderly care model covering economics, society, health, environment, and innovation. The project also encourages pre-senior citizens to prepare early for the challenges of a rapidly aging population. 

Within the next 10 years, Thai society will face what could be described as a “senior tsunami.” The number of people aged 60 and over will increase from the current 20% to 30% of the national population. This number will transform Thailand into a “super-aged society.” 

“We have a large population entering the elderly age range. The current population, aged 41-61, was born between 1963 and 1983, a period of high birth rates.” This generation experienced over a million births per year, and people in this age group tend to live long lives, with approximately 90–95% of them surviving to age 60. This trend means that from now on, we will have nearly one million more elderly people per year. Every year, this generation will constitute the silver tsunami of Thai society,” Professor Dr. Vipan Prachuabmoh explained the origins of the elderly tsunami and gave examples of its potential impact. 

“The successes we have seen in the area of public health have led not only to longer life expectancies, but the resulting trend is that older people are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, be bedridden for longer periods, and become more dependent on others. Therefore, we must prepare this generation (the pre-senior generation) well. If there are too many bedridden patients, the next generation will be unable to cope.” 

“Overall, the working-age population is decreasing, the tax base is shrinking, but the elderly population is increasing significantly. Welfare systems may struggle to keep pace. Government social security may fall short, living allowances may be inadequate, and essential services may fail to meet the evolving needs of an aging population. Moreover, as disasters become more frequent, older adults face heightened risks—particularly during floods and similar crises. Supporting this vulnerable group requires specialized care systems, which in turn present challenges to the quality of life of both the elderly and their families.” 

In response to the challenges of an aging society, the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University launched the ‘Chula-ARi’ project in 2018, supported by the university’s Century 2 (C2F) grant. The initiative aims to holistically enhance the quality of life for the elderly—covering economic, social, health, environmental, and innovation aspects—while proactively preparing society for the future of aging. 

“The trend of aging societies is global, but Thailand stands out as a rapidly developing country with a sharply declining birthrate. Thai women now have, on average, just one child—a rate lower than Japan and close to Korea. Yet, unlike these more developed nations with established elderly support systems, Thailand is still building its own. Even so, Japan and Korea continue to face serious challenges. In Japan, for instance, economic pressures on the working-age population are intensifying, and even its world-renowned health insurance system is strained by rising longevity and a growing elderly population.” 

Therefore, Thai society must recognize this and prepare for the future tsunami of the elderly, starting today! 

Collaboration and action are at the heart of Chula ARi 

As an academic institution, the Chula ARi Project emphasizes academic work and research that produces significant, tangible results at both the policy and local levels. Prof. Dr. Vipan, Project Director, discussed the project’s three levels of activities, which have been underway since 2018:

1. Conduct policy-driven research, including the development of a national master plan for supporting the elderly, also known as the Third Phase Action Plan for the Elderly, a long-term plan spanning from 2022 to 2037. 
2. Conduct research that informs and raises public awareness about the aging society. 
3. Experiment with policies to support an aging society, resulting in tangible results in communities.

The project leverages research data as a key tool to build support systems for an aging society, including developing community data platforms and sharing information with local residents. This enables communities to better understand their circumstances, identify coping strategies, and sustainably improve the quality of life of their elderly. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to serve as a model for aging society development in urban areas. 

“Chula ARi is a collaborative project. We work with communities and stakeholders to find shared solutions. We have a shared goal and conduct research for development. Our work process emphasizes the exchange of knowledge and experiences across disciplines, including social sciences, science, and humanities, medicine, architecture, and engineering. In addition to collaboration within Chulalongkorn University, we also collaborate with agencies outside of Chulalongkorn University, with cooperation agreements signed with 16 other agencies,” said Prof. Dr. Vipan. 

For policy research, Chula ARi has developed a master plan and presented it to the National Elderly Commission to serve as a framework for improving the quality of life for the elderly and preparing future generations for quality aging. Bangkok has also used this plan as a framework for the Bangkok Elderly Action Plan, Phase 3 (2023-2027). 

“We aim to connect this plan to action by mobilizing community power to support an aging society, using model communities in urban areas.” 

 Research and Development That “Grows from Within” 

In addition to policy-based research, another important part of the project’s research is the use of empirical research data to raise awareness and engage communities in addressing the aging society in a sustainable way. 

“Our goal is to understand community challenges and work together on solutions—not just focus on academics. We engage with communities through regular visits and systematic data collection, which helps us gain deeper insights into their realities. When we gather research data, we share it with the community, allowing them to better understand their needs. In the past, community members reported that researchers collected data but never shared the results. By providing access to this information, the community gains a clearer perspective of their situation, fostering mutual understanding and enabling collaborative development processes that grow organically from within the community.” 

The data allows the community to collectively identify problems and challenges, which serves as a starting point for brainstorming on how to address the quality of life of the elderly and those who will become elderly in the future. 

“Once the community have pooled their thoughts together and developed a three-year plan, identifying what they will do and what their responsibilities will be, the Chula-Ari Project will provide support, exploring which agencies we can tap to assist and complement them in what ways.” 

In this regard, Prof. Dr. Vipan explains that the Chula-ARi Project acts as a facilitator and supports the community in areas where they are lacking. 

“This process is a collaborative learning process. At the beginning, we help lay the foundation and fill in gaps to enable the community to move forward. After that, the community must be able to continue on its own. We want to enable them to be self-dependent and stand on their own two feet, which is to develop in a sustainable manner.” 

A model for urban elderly communities

Drawing on research data and collaborative community thinking and action, the project aims to create concrete solutions that address the quality of life of elderly residents. Between 2018 and 2022, the Chula ARi project piloted the development of 10 elderly communities in Bangkok. These include the Rungmanee Phatthana and Sapsinmai communities in Wang Thonglang District; Phra Nakhon District: Phraeng Phuthon, Phraeng Nara, and Phraeng Sanphasat; Phasi Charoen District: Khlong Lat Phachi, Rasritham, and Sirin and Friends; Din Daeng District: Keha Din Daeng; and Bang Rak District: Behind Hua Lamphong Temple. 

“Chula Ari’s work emphasizes all dimensions. We believe that an aging society requires holistic development and support. Some communities may need more of these things, while others may need less, depending on the data. However, we try to focus on health, the economy, society, technology, innovation, and the environment,” said Prof. Dr. Vipan, discussing the principles and approaches for support that align with the context and needs of each community. 

Citing examples of communities in Wang Thonglang and Phasi Charoen Districts that have successfully developed their communities and served as models for urban elderly communities, Prof. Dr. Vipan told us:

“This community has activities to promote well-being, such as exercise and nutrition. The common areas have been developed into green spaces and vegetable gardens, which, during the severe COVID-19 outbreak, have become a food reserve source for the community. Currently, surplus vegetable produce is available for sale, providing income for the elderly. Furthermore, the community has adapted its homes to suit the elderly. These homes are now models for other communities to study. The community’s common areas have been developed for the elderly and people of all ages to safely share their experiences, such as exercise areas and learning centers or computer centers where the elderly and community members can learn.” 

Robots: A Crucial Helper in an Aging Society 

Robots are becoming an increasingly vital innovation in supporting an aging society. Recognizing this, the Chula ARi Project has partnered with the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine at Chulalongkorn University to develop community-focused robots for elderly care. These include rehabilitation robots for stroke patients and devices for limb recovery. The robots are now deployed in several health centers across Bangkok, including the Pattana Medical Center and Central Hospital, providing hands-on support to those in need. 

Prof. Dr. Vipan highlighted that the stroke rehabilitation robot is now serving the Phraeng Phuthon, Phraeng Nara, and Phraeng Sanphasat communities. The telemedicine device measures blood pressure, pulse, and temperature and provides initial health consultations. Meanwhile, a limb rehabilitation robot helps physical therapists care for multiple elderly patients simultaneously, improving efficiency and access to therapy. 

Expanding Pilot Communities Across the City and Region 

Following the success of the research and pilot project for the development of a prototype elderly community, Chula ARi has expanded the project to 15 additional communities in Prawet and Pathumwan districts, in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Health Office, the Social Development Office, and the Strategy Office. This two-year project, beginning in 2024, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. 

Communities in Prawet district include Fueang Fa Phatthana, Romyen Village, Khlong Mon, Premruthai Block 17, Khlong Pak Lak Phatthana, the Bualuang Community Housing Cooperative Limited, Pak Khlong Song Hong, and the northern bank of Prawet Canal. Communities in Pathumwan district include Trok Salak Hin Community, Ban Krua Tai Community, Wat Duang Khae Community, Khlong Nang Hong Community, Chaw Chu Chiep Community, Wat Boromniwat Community in Rong Mueang Subdistrict, and Charat Mueang Community. 

“We engaged residents from 15 communities in Prawet and Pathumwan districts to collect data. We helped draft the questionnaire, and the research team processed it. The data belongs to the BMA. Importantly, the villagers can collect their own data. If they can collect it correctly, they will know how to use it to manage and develop their own communities. They can also track and collect the data continuously in the future,” said Prof. Dr. Vipan, explaining the research process that involves community and BMA participation. 

“The data collection is now complete. We are preparing to process it and return the results to the community to jointly develop a plan. The data will be presented to the community to visualize the community’s problems, strengths, and potential solutions. The community will be encouraged to develop solutions, supported by Chulalongkorn University and other agencies, before further system development can be piloted. This time, we are working in collaboration with the BMA to drive model districts and communities to improve the quality of life for Bangkok’s elderly.” 

Although the Chula-ARi Project originally focused on communities in Bangkok, it has expanded to other regions since 2021. The initiative began by partnering with regional universities to form a collaborative network called “Thai-ARi.” Between 2021 and 2023, the elderly support system was implemented in urban communities across four regions. Today, the project works closely with local administrative organizations (LAOs) to develop strategies and implement elderly support systems at the local level, such as in Map Ta Phut Municipality, Rayong Province. 

Planning for the Long-Term Future of Seniors 

In addition to working with various sectors, a key factor in mitigating the impacts of an aging society is the future elderly. 

“Since our lives are going to be longer, if we don’t prepare ourselves, life is going to be much harder; we need to plan our lives. We need to plan our health, our financial situation, our age-appropriate careers, and, most importantly, we need to have a strong foundation of mind. The world is changing rapidly. Without a strong foundation of mind and moral principles to support our spirit, we won’t survive. The world is constantly facing storms, such as economic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, disasters, and conflicts/wars. We don’t know what will happen. Furthermore, we need to continuously learn throughout our lives, increasing our knowledge, becoming more well-rounded, learning new work skills, and developing skills throughout our lives,” the professor concluded. 

The Chula-ARi Project will continue to integrate interdisciplinary and various networks to address the aging society and sustainably improve the quality of life for Thais and society. 

For those interested in exploring the prototype elderly community or learning about the elderly, please contact http://www.chulaari.chula.ac.th/. 

References https://www.chula.ac.th/news/33547/. 

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