Abstract:
This research has its purposes 1) to investigate the patterns of the potential development network of elders in the Thai society, and 2) to examine and expand the knowledge and social innovation to advance the potential development of elders in theThai society. The methodologies employed were document analysis, in-dept interviews, observations, and focus group discussions. Thirty informants were recruited, as well as content and thematic analyses were conducted.
The findings revealed three patterns of potential development of elders in the Thai society: 1) the potential development network by the Buddhist organizations, 2) the potential development network by the local government organizations, and 3) the potential development network by the government. All the three forms were differentiated by the network reinforcing the potential development. In addition, the social innovation expressed two forms of the elderly development: 1) network social innovation and 2) knowledge social innovation regarding the holistic health, basic rights in daily life, together with the technological and digital knowledge strengthening the network and sustainable procedures.