Suchin "Uncle Dam" Iam-in, 65, chairman of the Homeless People Society, welcomes the "One Night Count" project, saying that the tally will finally provide an answer to one of the most frequently asked questions about down-and-outs in Thailand.
"The exact number is unknown, but I expect it to reflect current social and economic conditions," he said. "During an economic downturn, the number will increase, but when things start to look up, their numbers dwindle."
Mr Suchin estimated that there are tens of thousands of homeless people from all age groups across the country. "Homelessness is not limited to just the elderly," he said.
While many homeless people choose to live in public parks, railway stations or under bridges and flyovers, others choose to live in shelters and other temporary accomodation spread across Bangkok.
One of the first homeless shelters established in Bangkok is the Suwit Watnoo Homeless Centre in Taling Chan. Built in 2008, the centre now houses between 60-70 homeless people, who are allowed to use the centre's address to apply for assistance at the district office.
In 2017, a new project to aid the homeless was launched on Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road. A joint programme of the Ministry of Human Security and Social Development and the Community Organisations Development Institute (Codi), the project sought to provide basic housing for the homeless.
About 20 people now call the shelter their "first home". The accomodations -- which were jointly funded and managed by the ministry and Codi -- can be passed on to their children, but not to others.
In return for rent subsidies, the project's participants are taught to support themselves by collecting and selling recyclables and scrap materials.
Mr Suchin -- who took up residence at Suwit Watnoo Homeless Centre himself after living on the streets for 18 years -- said that having an address is important because it allows the homeless to register for an identification (ID) card, which they need to access state-sponsored welfare services.
Furthermore, having an ID card helps ensure that the homeless receive fair pay when they finally find a job.
"A homeless person without an ID card is likely to receive about 200 baht, while those with a valid ID card are likely to receive at least the standard daily minimum wage," he added.