RAYONG, THAILAND – As the world’s population ages at an unprecedented rate, Rayong Province is building a blueprint for the future. On 25 January 2026, the Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) opened its doors to a high-level international delegation from Fukuoka City, the Fukuoka Council for Designing Society in Aging Asia, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), signaling a bold new chapter in a cross-border exchange of healthcare expertise.
Working alongside ACAI, this visit to the Noen Phayom Public Health Service Center serves as a high-stakes prelude to a landmark Memorandum of Understanding set to be signed at the upcoming PMAC 2026. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice, focusing on specialised personnel development and integrated care strategies that can be scaled across Asia. It highlighted Rayong Province’s proactive response to becoming a fully aged society through strong public–private partnerships.
In the morning session, the delegation visited a sand-soil mango orchard at Lung Tuan’s Garden and participated in a formal welcoming activity. This was followed by presentations on initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity and well-being of older persons in the area, as well as discussions on prospective avenues for cooperation with Fukuoka City.
Moving away from fragmented healthcare, the Rayong PAO has established a care ecosystem based on four key mechanisms, including hospitals (hub), community centers (base), household support, and emergency systems. These are to ensure continuity of care across all levels.
The delegation’s journey led them to the SRB Healthcare Center in Ban Khai District, a shining example of how private sector agility complements public health goals. Here, the visitors had the opportunity to see post-ICU and semi-critical recovery services, personalised rehabilitation, specialised nursing care, and holistic activities that support both physical and mental well-being. By showcasing personalised nursing and specialised rehab, Rayong proved that it possesses the infrastructure to support a “super-aged” society with dignity and precision.
This international exchange reaffirms that the challenge of an ageing society knows no borders.
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