| Author | Buraskorn Torut |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-14-03 |
| Subject(s) | Aging--Thailand
|
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. RD-14-03 |
| Abstract | Aging population is increasing in Thailand and more is concentrated in the rural area. Currently, the Thai government is paying more attention to the preparation for sustained social welfare for the aging population. The research explores the livelihoods of the rural elders in order to develop appropriate aging policies. The objectives of theresearch are the following: toidentify and assess the satisfaction for the livelihood assets of rural elders; toanalyze factors explaining variations in the livelihood assets satisfaction of the rural elders; toassess the impact of the livelihood asset on the well-being of the rural elders; toanalyze the role of the local institution in providing livelihood assets satisfaction for the rural elders; and tosuggest policy recommendations for social development of livelihood asset satisfaction of the rural elders. The research examines the life quality of Thai citizens aged 60 years or older who reside in the rural area under the livelihood framework. Such framework allows the research to examine the Thai rural elders through a holistic view. The concept involves understanding the variations for the rural elders in livelihood asset endowments. The assets include human, social, financial, physical, and natural capital. The framework studies the determinants of the community and individuals’ characteristics on the well-being of rural elders. The assessment of the determinants in enhancing the well-being of the older persons allows the policy maker to understand the needs as well as the capacity of the older persons in rural Thailand. The research was conducted in Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen provinces in the northeastern region of Thailand. The study was based on a survey questionnaire collected from 146 respondents. The questionnaire surveyed the asset endowments of the rural older persons, their levels of variation, and their satisfaction for their well-being. Social scaling technique and weight average index were used to rank the livelihood assets that are essential for the rural elders. Correlation analysis and multivariate regression were utilized to determine the impact of the demographic factors on the rural elders’ well-being satisfaction. Semi-structured interview was also conducted with stakeholders affiliated with programs for the older persons in the study areas in order to formulate appropriatelivelihood assets indicators. A comparative case studyanalysis was applied tounderstand the impact of the social institutions in supporting the livelihoods of the rural elderly. Main findings of this research were the following. All the livelihood assets werenecessary for maintaining the rural elders’ quality of life. Human and social assets werethe main inputs for the human and social well-being while financial, physical, and natural assets wereessential for sustaining the material well-being of the rural elders. Older persons prioritize for their humanand social value over the material well-being. Second finding proves that demographic characteristics and living arrangement of the rural elders hadimpacts on the livelihood asset satisfaction. Older persons aged between 60-70 years hadmore satisfactionto the human assets in comparison to the older age group. However, those aged more than 70 years old gainedhigher social asset status. Rural elders, despite their financial status and family status, wereequally satisfied to their access to financial, physical, and natural resources. However, older personsliving with family members hadhigher access to all the health services, social activities, and information than those living without. In terms of the impact of the social institution, older persons wholivedin a community with active elderly have higher livelihood assets satisfaction than those without effective administration and did not put elders as its priority in policy implementation. |
| Year | 2014 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. RD-14-03 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed ;Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government ;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph. D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014 |