Award-winning actress Seeda Puapimon, 70, passed away so quietly earlier this week that her body was only discovered several days later. Her case is a tragic reminder of the fate befalling more and more elderly Thais – dying alone.
The Public Health Ministry estimates that Thailand will become a “fully aged society” by the end of this year, when 20% of the population, or 14.4 million Thais, will be over 60.
Surveys show the percentage of elderly Thais living alone almost tripled from 2.3% in 1996 to 6.5% in 2018. This means around one million elderly Thais now live on their own.
Many old people have underlying health problems, and living alone increases their risk of not being able to access life-saving medical help in emergencies.
Seeda’s sad fate
Born in 1955, Seeda starred in a string of Thai films in her younger years. Yet, awards proved elusive despite her fame. Her life took a tragic turn when her son, also a famous actor, died suddenly in 2006.
She also plunged into financial trouble, becoming the subject of gossip and rumours in Thailand’s celebrity-obsessed society.
However, Seeda had made a comeback in recent years. Last year, she was handed a role in the hit television series “Paradise of Thorns”, for which she earned her first ever award.
She accepted the 2024 Cinefile Audience Award for Best Supporting Actress at a showbiz ceremony on March 10.
Seeda was last spotted in public on Monday evening (March 17), when CCTV footage showed her walking into her apartment.
By Thursday evening, her son’s former girlfriend, who had been taking care of Seeda in recent years, requested rescue workers to break into the apartment after friends said they had not been able to contact the actress for several days.
They then found Seeda lying dead in the apartment. An autopsy showed she died of blood circulation failure.
Higher chance of dying alone
Prof Pramote Prasartkul from Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research warns that an increasing number of Thais will die alone.
He predicted that the growing elderly population and the decline of extended families mean more and more Thais will be abandoned to solitary deaths – a trend already causing shockwaves in Japan.
“It may be days, months, or even years before people learn about deaths,” he said in an article published at www.theprachakorn.com, which provides population-related content.
Last year, after a 71-year-old man complained his elderly sister was not responding to calls, police checked up on her at home only to discover her skeletal remains.
She was 76 and had been living alone after retiring as a teacher at one of Thailand’s most prestigious schools. Police believe she must have succumbed to an illness.
Experts warn that old people who live alone face higher risks, stating that even a fall, choking on food, or a mild illness can result in death if not treated in time.
There is also the risk of forgetting or failing to take medication for underlying illnesses. Then there’s the threat of criminal attacks, which are reportedly increasing against old people who live with others.
Tips to stay safe
Elderly people who live alone are advised to get regular medical checkups and exercise to maintain their health and independence.
Experts say they should also join social groups and participate in activities if possible. Also recommended is reconfiguring their home to minimise the risk of falling by tripping or slipping. And a telephone with useful numbers on speed dial can be a vital aid in times of need.
