Active Ageing in Urban Thailand: Evaluating the Impact of Community-Based Interventions on Health and Digital Access

Abstract

Background: Thailand had become a fully aged society in 2025 and is projected to become a superaged society by 2031. Without adequate preparation, the increasing demand for older adult care could place a significant economic burden on the country. Promoting careers through the sharing of community history offers a potential solution for generating income and promoting active ageing.

Objective: This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of an active ageing programme on health, online access, and income among older adults in Bangkok.

Methodology: Adopting a quasi-experimental longitudinal design grounded in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Active Ageing Framework, this study evaluated a cohort of 100 older adults in Bangkok. Participants were purposively assigned to either an intervention group that participated in a structured 24-week community-based programme or a control group that received standard care. Data were collected using validated questionnaires at four time points: baseline and at weeks 9, 12, and 24. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests to measure comparative improvements in health indicators and digital proficiency over time.

Results: Baseline analysis confirmed homogeneity between the intervention and control groups, with no significant demographic or health indicator variances observed (p > .05). By the 24-week endpoint, the intervention group demonstrated statistically superior improvements across multiple domains compared to the control group. Notably, significant gains were recorded in systolic blood pressure regulation (p < .001), proactive health behaviors (p < .001), and digital literacy and access (p < .001). While social participation also saw a marked increase (p = .013), the intervention did not yield a statistically significant variance in participant income (p > .05).

Conclusion: The community-based active ageing programme proved highly effective in enhancing physical health, digital inclusion, and social participation among older adults. These outcomes are largely attributable to the programme's culturally grounded structure, which specifically addresses the social and digital navigation needs of urban Thai communities.

Unique Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence for a multi-dimensional intervention model that simultaneously addresses physical well-being and digital equity. It highlights the potential of leveraging community-based activities to transform older adults from passive care recipients into active, digitally-literate social participants, offering a strategic template for aged societies in Southeast Asia.

Key recommendation: Future research should prioritise longitudinal evaluations across diverse regional contexts to assess the scalability of this intervention model. Furthermore, investigations should focus on bridging the gap between increased social participation and tangible economic outcomes by identifying specific barriers to income generation within the silver tourism sector.