The Current Situation of Aging Japanese Retirees and Their Impacts on Medical Services in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the current situation of aging Japanese retirees and their impacts
on medical services in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Data were gathered from in-depth interviews
with 19 participants comprising of Japanese retirees, representatives of Japanese associations,
support organizations, and medical facilities where this group is known for seeking medical
assistance. The results revealed that private hospitals in Chiang Mai have interpreters and offer
quick service. However, medical fees are expensive, and they might not be well-equipped for
complex and specialized treatment, which restricts the provision of services. At public hospitals,
the lack of interpreters, unpaid medical bills by Japanese retirees who lack financial resources,
and Japanese retirees who are near death and brought in to pass away are an extra burden to
the system. Cases of Japanese retirees at hospitals in Chiang Mai were revealed to be lower
than 1% of the total cases. However, they reflect the problems and issues faced by this group.
Therefore, recommendations for improving medical services and reconsidering the long-stay
program are presented.
Article Details
ข้อความและข้อคิดเห็นต่างๆ ในบทความเป็นของผู้เขียนบทความนั้นๆ ไม่ใช่ความเห็นของกองบรรณาธิการหรือของวารสาร jsn Journal
References
Chamcham, C. & Soparat, O. (2012). Long-Stay of the Japanese in Chiangmai: Analysis of Determining
Factors in Pre-and Post-Period of Coming. Japanese Studies Journal 29 (1), 16-34.
Chanchalor, A. (2017). Views and Trends Regarding the Long-Stay Lodging Business for the Elderly
Japanese in Chiang Mai. Jsn Journal Special Edition, 204-220.
CLL Newsletter. (2019, June 1). Rongu Sutei Biza Enchou Youken no Henkou ni Tsuite [Changes in the
Requirements for Long-Stay Visa Renewal] CLL Newsletter. http://www.cll-thaijp.net/newsletter
Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai (2017, December 9). Chenmai de no Shuukatsu: Sorezore ga
Junbi Subeki Koto [Making Preparations for One’s Ending in Chiang Mai]. Presented at the 5th SCC
Symposium, Chiang Mai.
Duangkaew, S. (2016). Lifestyle Migration of Japanese Long-Stayers and that Impact in Chiang Mai.
[Doctoral Dissertation, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan].
http://ir.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/handle/20.500.12000/33727
Fukahori, H., Baba, Y., Hioki, F., Mongkong, S., Intarasombat, P., Malathum, P. (2011) Healthcare Services
for Japanese Elderly Long-Staying in Thailand from the Perspective of the Patient and Healthcare
Providers: A Survey Study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 53 (2), 168-173.
Health and Global Health Institute. (2015). Japan Health Policy Now. Retrieved from:
www.japanhpn.org
Hongsranagon, P. (2005). Activities Arrangements in Chiang Mai Province for Long Stay Japanese
Pensioner Tourists. Journal of Demography, 21 (2), 85-98.
. (2006). Japanese Senior Tourists: An Untapped Potential in Thailand’s Tourism
Industry. The Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 1 (1), 55-61.
, Pnariansaen, R., Prabsangob, K. & Muadchaithong, C. (2015). Determining Factors for
and Social Integration of Japanese Lifestyle Migrants in Bangkok, Thailand: A Case Study. J Health Res, 29 (1), 71-78.
Kajimoto, T. (2019, April 10). Retiring Late: As Pensions Underwhelm, More Japanese Opt to Prolong
Employment. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-economy-retirement/retiring-late-as-pensions-underwhelm-more-japanese-opt-to-prolong-employment-idUSKCN1RM0GP
Kakaku.com Insurance. (n.d.) Insurance. Retrieved from https://hoken.kakaku.com/insurance/travel/
select/cost/thailand/
Leng, Chee Heng. (2007). Medical Tourism in Malaysia: International Movement of Healthcare
Consumers and the Commodification of Healthcare. Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series
, Singapore: National University of Singapore, 1-32.
Long Stay Foundation. (2018). Rongu Sutei Kibou Koku Chiiki 2018 Toppu Ten o Happyou [Top Ten
Preferred Destinations for Long-Stay Year 2018]. Retrieved from
http://www.longstay.or.jp/newslist/open/entry-3456.html/tpl/entry_responsive_os.html
Medical Departures. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.medicaldepartures.com/clinic/chiangmai-ram-
hospital-medical
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. (2018). Annual Report of Statistics on Japanese Nationals
Overseas. https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/page22_000043.html
Miyashita, Y., Akaleephan, C., Asgari-Jirhandeh, N. & Sungyuth, C. (2017). Cross-border Movement of
Older Patients: A Descriptive Study on Health Service Use of Japanese Retirees in Thailand.
Globalization and Health, (13) 14, 1-11. DOI: 10.1186/s12992-017-0241-9
Ninkitsaranont, P. (2019). Thailand Industry Outlook 2019-21: Private Hospital Industry. Krungsi
Nishikito, E. (2018). Medical Interpreters’ Knowledge and Communication Skills for Effective Teamwork
with Doctors and Nurses: Based on a Study of Japanese-Thai Interpreters at Three Private Hospitals in Chiang Mai. Japanese Studies Journal 35 (2), 16-41.
Numbeo. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living
Ono, M. (2008). Long-Stay Tourism and International Retirement Migration: Japanese Retirees in
Malaysia. Senri Ethnological Reports 77, 151-162.
Saengpassa, C. (2019, May 15). Mandatory Health Insurance for Retirement Visa Holders Likely to Take
Effect in July. https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30369468
SCC News. (2016, June 12, no.12). Souryouji to no Kaigi Houkoku: Dai 2 Kai Rongu Sutei Koureisha
Taisaku Kaigi [Report on the Second Meeting with Consular Officers on the Policy for Long
Staying Seniors]
Senshu, Y. (2015, November). Media’s Role in Dividing a Community: A Case of Japanese
Communities in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai University, 715-724.
Thai Property Group. (2020). Mandatory Health Insurance for the Retirement Visa.
https://www.thai-property-group.com/en/mandatory-health-insurance-for-the-retirement-visa/
Thang, L.L., Sone, S. & Toyota, M. (2012). Freedom Found? The Later-life Transnational Migration of
Japanese Women to Western Australia and Thailand. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 21 (2),
-262. https://doi.org/10.1177/011719681202100206
Yamagishi, H. (2019). Chenmai Shuuchaku Eki [Chiang Mai, the Final Destination]. Society for the
Study of Care and Support in Chiang Mai (SCC): Chiang Mai.