Visit Ladsawai Municipality Medical Center in Pathum Thani to explore Thailand’s community-based long-term care (LTC) model, built on strong cooperation between the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and Local Administrative Organizations (LAOs) for all Thais regardless of their public health insurance schemes. Participants will see how caregivers, care managers, health volunteers, and multidisciplinary teams work together to support older persons through home-based care, rehabilitation, social support, and prevention services.

The field trip offers hands-on learning at both health facility and community levels—including a special opportunity to experience traditional Thai massage delivered by certified practitioners. Discover how Thailand empowers communities to deliver sustainable, dignified care for an ageing population.

Overview

As Thailand transitions into a Complete Aged Society, the demand for long-term care (LTC) is rising rapidly. This field trip takes participants to Ladsawai Municipality Medical Center in Pathum Thani, a semi-urban area demonstrating how local governance, community action, and multi-sectoral collaboration are reshaping elderly care in Thailand.

The model—built on a Matching Fund mechanism between the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and Local Administrative Organizations (LAOs)—strengthens shared responsibility and empowers communities to manage their own LTC systems. Through coordinated roles of Care Managers (CM), Care Givers (CG), multidisciplinary teams, and village health volunteers, the system provides a seamless continuum of medical, social, and community-based support.

Participants will observe LTC in action at both the health facility and household level, gaining insights into sustainable, LAOs-led strategies that enable older persons to age with dignity—while reducing pressure on hospital services.

What You Will See

• A functioning community-based LTC model driven by matching fund between NHSO and LAOs
• Home and Community-Based Care delivered by trained caregivers and health volunteers
• Facility-based services such as rehabilitation, dental care, Thai traditional medicine, and Chinese medicine
• Health promotion and prevention activities delivered directly within communities
• Strong multi-sectoral coordination across health providers, social agencies, local governments, and civil society
• Special experience for participants: the opportunity to enjoy traditional Thai massage, provided by certified Thai traditional medicine practitioners, as part of the field demonstration

Why This Field Trip Matters

Thailand’s experience offers a practical example of how countries can build sustainable LTC systems in the face of rapid demographic ageing. The approach combines:

• Integrated health and social care
• Community empowerment and local ownership
• Innovative joint financing models
• Practical tools such as caregivers, care managers, and individualized care plans

Participants will gain tangible lessons on designing cost-effective, locally responsive LTC systems that can be adapted to diverse global contexts.

Field Trip Objectives

Participants will:

1. Explore Thailand’s integrated hospital–community LTC model.
2. Observe multi-sectoral cooperation—health sector, academic sector, social agencies, local governments, and community actors—in real settings.
3. Learn about Thailand’s innovative LTC financing and governance mechanisms.
4. Understand practical interventions that support healthy and dignified ageing.
5. Engage in interactive discussions on adapting LTC innovations to their own country contexts.