Chula’s Institute of Asian Studies Collaborates with ThaiHealth and MSDHS to Drive Homelessness Initiatives 

On October 8, 2024, Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), and other partner networks, held a conference titled “Partnerships for the Homeless: From Stability to Security.” The event, held at the Chumbhot-Pantip meeting room of the Prajadhipok-Rambaibani Building, was part of World Habitat Day, aiming to foster collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society to address homelessness and promote sustainable well-being for the homeless. During the event, the results of an in-depth survey on the homelessness situation in 2023 were also presented. 

In his closing speech, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, thanked all sectors for their participation and knowledge exchange at the conference. He emphasized the innovative social solutions presented, including the development of shelters and housing for the homeless, the use of data-driven operations, and the creation of medical innovations to support the health of the homeless. These innovations are critical tools for addressing social issues sustainably. Chulalongkorn University has positioned itself as a leader in creating social knowledge and innovations that can be practically applied, especially in addressing the issues faced by the homeless and vulnerable groups, which require collaboration from multiple sectors. 

Associate Professor Dr. Siridej Sujiva, Acting Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the university’s role as an academic institution committed to supporting and driving solutions for homelessness. He expressed the university’s willingness to collaborate with all sectors in pushing forward policies that help the homeless and vulnerable groups by leveraging Chulalongkorn’s capacity to develop new knowledge and innovations in response to current challenges. 

Associate Professor Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, welcomed the participants and emphasized the increasing complexity and severity of the current homelessness situation. Although the number of homeless individuals may not have risen sharply, the associated risks, such as physical and mental health issues, along with economic and social problems, mean that addressing homelessness requires ongoing and coordinated efforts at both policy and operational levels. 

The conference provided a platform for various organizations, from government, private sector, and civil society, to exchange successful practices, such as the development of shelters, data utilization, promotion of homeless well-being, and the training of medical volunteers to support the health rehabilitation of the homeless. The knowledge and experiences shared will serve as a foundation for driving future sustainable policies. 

Ms. Porranee Poobrasert, Assistant Manager of ThaiHealth and Acting Director of the Office for the Promotion of Well-being of Specific Population Groups, reported that as of May 2023, a nationwide survey counted 2,499 homeless individuals. The primary causes were unemployment (44.72%) and family problems (35.18%). The majority of the homeless population were middle-aged individuals between 40-59 years old, accounting for 56.8% (1,419 people), followed by the elderly at 22% (553 people). Visible characteristics of homeless individuals included alcoholism (18.1%) and mental health issues (17.9%), with only 1-2% showing tendencies toward violence. Additionally, 30% of the homeless faced problems accessing social welfare rights, and 27% of the homeless had been homeless for less than two years, with 74.1% of them living alone. 

ThaiHealth, MSDHS, and partner networks aim to continue the “Half for Housing” project, improve the homeless shelter system, and develop coordination points for the homeless (Drop-in centers). They will also support welfare and social services, including healthcare for the homeless, to prepare for the growing number of elderly homeless individuals. This effort will focus particularly on areas like Chonburi, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen, where seasonal migration among the homeless is prevalent. The initiative also aims to expand services in Bangkok and other provinces like Kanchanaburi, Chonburi, and Rayong. These areas see a high rate of seasonal homeless migration. The project will focus on psychological rehabilitation, skills development, and helping the homeless reintegrate into their families. Additionally, the ThaiHealth initiative will work to restore social rights for the homeless across all 13 districts of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) by 2027, aiming to ensure that no one is left without rights, shelter, or stable employment. 

Mr. Anuk Pitukthanin, Manager of the Knowledge Development and Strategic Planning for Homeless Well-being at Chulalongkorn’s Institute of Asian Studies, explained that addressing homelessness requires collaboration from multiple sectors due to the complex socioeconomic risks associated with homelessness. After gathering data on the homeless population, the next step is to design a solution process and prevention strategies tailored to each area’s context. Chulalongkorn University and its partners will analyze in-depth data using the capture-recapture method to estimate the homeless population accurately, which will inform policy design and improve the quality of life for the homeless. 

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