Songkran Day was picked as Thailand's National Day for the Elderly back in 1982, the year Bangkok celebrated its 200th birthday. It was a good choice at the time because gratitude and respect for the family and one's elders were still the lifeblood of Thai society. Nowhere was this filial piety better demonstrated than at the traditional family gatherings held during the three days of Songkran when extended family members came together from far and wide. It was a ritual that helped to make the "golden years" a time of joy for many.
But times changed, population growth slowed and the gradual shift from an agricultural economy to one dominated by industry and services had a profound effect on rural life and sparked a migration to the cities. The strong ties that had always kept the extended family together came under pressure and did not always withstand the strain. The past three decades have also seen radical changes in attitudes towards marriage and family, backed by a growing desire for greater individualism, a revolution in communications and information technology and a much faster and more stressful pace of life.
As a result, many adults, tied down with work and their own families and with limited time for recreation or holidays, are struggling to find the time, energy and funds with which to care for their ageing parents and relatives in rural areas. While the majority still make the homeward trek at Songkran, there are so many negative factors nowadays that some find resorts and other attractions more tempting. That means that the joy that should accompany the Songkran festival is absent in more than a few homes as elderly parents find they have to settle for a phone call. That is sad, but it is the long-term outlook that is the biggest cause for concern.
The Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University has studied the demographics of the Asean community over the past year and found that Thailand tops the list for having the highest number of senior citizens. There are 8.1 million people aged 60 and over in this country, accounting for 12.8% of all citizens. At the same time, couples are having fewer children, so the percentage of the elderly to the whole population will continue to rise while the number of taxpayers drops. This will create a major problem of elderly dependency. The practice of young people caring for their ageing parents and relatives has always been one of the nobler virtues of our society. But soon this centuries-old tradition may be unsustainable. The danger then is that many of these older citizens could be left to fend for themselves unless there is a comprehensive safety net in place. The current 600 baht a month government allowance for those over 60 falls far short of what is needed.
Senior citizens can be forgiven for thinking that the present-day Songkran, with all its drawbacks, is largely a reflection of modern society. The growth of materialism and rampant consumerism has brought about an increase in selfishness and a marked decline in many Buddhist values, notably harmony and compassion. It is also visible in the self-indulgent minority which abuses the spirit of Songkran with acts of hooliganism. Society has undergone many changes in recent years and the troublemakers are mainly people who have fallen through the cracks and adopted irresponsibility as a way of life. It is shocking that some would-be celebrants now stay at home or go overseas because they no longer feel safe during what was once the most noble and family-oriented festival of the year.