'Phenphak,' Lampang MP from the Kla Tham Party, points out that Thailand faces major challenges including an aging society, children dropping out of systems, and vulnerable groups. She urges the government to reform the entire welfare system, decentralize authority to local levels, and close loopholes to resolve inequality issues.
At 10:45 a.m. on 14 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Phenphak Rattanakhamfu, Lampang MP from the Kla Tham Party, stated that Thailand is confronting a major social challenge: rapid growth of the aging population, children and youth dropping out of the education system, and vulnerable groups still lacking full access to welfare. She emphasized that the government must urgently reform social policy structures in a serious manner.
Ms. Phenphak added that Thailand is entering a fully aged society, yet the elderly care system is not ready to meet needs in health, long-term care, and retirement income. Therefore, the government must swiftly establish a comprehensive elderly care system covering preventive health promotion, mental health care, palliative care, and community-based long-term care development to ensure sustainable quality of life for the elderly.
Furthermore, inequality in access to welfare remains a serious problem, especially among vulnerable groups who are often left out, including people with disabilities, the elderly, low-income individuals, and households in hardship. This reflects that government data systems are not well-connected or efficient enough. The government must urgently create a central data system that is accurate, transparent, and linked across all agencies to ensure assistance truly reaches the people.
Ms. Phenphak also noted that the issue of children dropping out remains concerning and directly affects the country's future. She proposed serious education reform, especially amending laws to ensure educational equity, reduce disparities between regions, and develop concrete support systems for at-risk children.
“The government should decentralize authority to empower local governments in providing social welfare to ensure assistance fits each area's context. It should also support community, civil society, and all sectors to participate in public policy design. Building a good society is not just about short-term problem-solving but creating a system where people of all ages in Thailand have fair access to opportunities and no one is left behind.”