Active Aging, Mobile Phone Networks, and labor Force Participation among Rural Northern Thai Elders

This study employs qualitative study among rural Thai elder’s ages between 60-74 years old in Cheingmai. Gathering data methods are 4 focus group discussion (32 participants), 10 in-depth interviews, and 4 small group discussion (16 participants). Total participants are 58 persons. 40 are males, and 18 are females. Main topic for discussion and interview are social networks, and labor force participation. The results reveal that most of the elders who were participating in this research are active aging who are always work hard, and busy with jobs-even though some of them are having some chronic illness. They do not afraid off. Working hard and busying with job, participating in labor market able to reduce some stressfulness’. Using smart mobile phone can help them find some social networks, and job that they can do, and interested in. The job for males are carpenter, gardening, and wood crafting while Thai traditional massage is for females. The customers are mostly live in a nearby villages, and same community. They can ride a motor bike or ride a bicycles to work. Income per day is approximately around 350 baht. As a result, keep promote elders potential and work experience by smart phone networks able to help them to participate in labor force and enhance their self-confidence.