While many people are keen to move to retirement as soon as possible, a growing number who get past retirement age are happy to stay in work.
The big challenge for them lies in the fact that jobs are hard to come by, in part because mandatory retirement age discriminates against them, but also because some employers would rather hire cheap and young.
This is despite the fact Thailand's population structure is changing. By 2040, the country's ageing population is expected to reach 16 million, accounting for 25% of the population.
At that time the number of senior citizens would outpace youths, and state spending required to take care of them would sharply increase.
An new state-run jobs centre for the elderly hopes to change all that. Yai, 61, recently dropped by the new Employment Service Centre for Elderly Workers under the Labour Ministry, looking for a job that suits her interests.
"Money is important but it's secondary. What matters most is that we still get to work. A life without work is a life without friends and smiles," she said.
The former office worker is searching for a four- to six-hour day with wages between 400-500 baht and welfare tidbits such as a free meal. She also has one condition: She wants to work with a friendly employer.
"My monthly expenses are about 20,000 baht. If I can get a job which helps pay the bills, great. But the elderly are hurt easily so we are picky about employers," she said.
The centre, which was launched as part of celebrations to mark the 84th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday, is in line with the government's policy to cope with an ageing society.
Thailand is expected to officially become an ageing society in 2021 when the elderly exceed 20% of the population.
Two companies have joined hands with the Labour Ministry, offering 403 job positions for the elderly.
These jobs range from management level such as marketing manager to entry-level such as sales and cashier staff, and drivers.
The management level offers a monthly salary of 50,000-80,000 baht while the entry and mid-level jobs offer payments of 11,000-20,000 baht, depending on experience.
Patchara Kenda, of Beach Resources Co, said the company has zero "elderly employees" -- those who are over 60.
"We have employees who are going to retire. We think they are a special group of people who have vast experience and highly responsible," he said.
However, he admits that not every elderly person is fit for employment, especially driver positions. Those who apply for the job are required to undergo a health examination for their own health and safety.
Kanokwan Kaksoongnoen, human resources manager of Home Products Centre Plc which owns Home Pro, said the company has no age restrictions but those who are over 53 are recruited as part-time employees.
She said elderly workers receive training before they get to work and the company, despite having branches in Bangkok and other provinces, has no plans to send elderly workers to work far from home due to concerns over travel and other costs.
Arthit Itthi-amornlert, 62, sees the employment services for the elderly as a good sign and urges the private sector to be more open to old people who are not always slow and clumsy. "While we are not as physically strong as the young workers, we are prudent and have perspective," he said.
During October last year to July this year, a total of 420 elderly people registered with the Labour Ministry for employment services with 373 of them currently employed.
Their jobs range from sales, packaging, product demonstration and office administration.
The Labour Ministry's Department of Employment itself hires 20 elderly people and plans to increase the number to 87 and set an example to other state agencies.
Arrug Phrommanee, labour permanent secretary, said the ministry gives priorities to wages, health and safety. Labour authorities will hold talks with the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to spur the private sector to hire more elderly employees, he said.
To register, people can visit the Employment Service Centre for Elderly Workers at Smart Job Centre at the Labour Ministry in Bangkok's Din Daeng or they can register via www.doe.go.th/elderly.
Labour permanent secretary ML Puntarik Samiti said the policy is likely to get a boost after Japan, which is known for its success in keeping the elderly in the workforce, offered to provide counselling and technical support.
Labour Minister Gen Sirichai Distakul said the government is ready to offer tax incentives to encourage the private sector to hire more elderly employees.