An interview with John Lee

Chairman, Premiere Home Health Care Co. Ltd., CEO of Jin Wellbeing County Project

Expat Life sat down with John Lee, the Singaporean President of Jin Wellbeing County to discuss their active living retirement complex and programme on the Phaholyothin Road going north out of Bangkok.

Mr Lee was a director for many years employed in major hospitals in Thailand. He has seen the many changes in medical health evolve in Thailand.

Over the years several private hospitals were built and grew rapidly to the centre for medical tourism and excellence that we know Thailand for today. Thai society has changed said Mr Lee, as it has all over the world, and we are now catering for an ageing population. In 5 years time 20% of the Thai population will be senior citizens. With increasing age chronic illness problems occur and so has the need for assisted living.

Eight years ago the market was not ready but Dr Boon Vanasin Founder, Chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc. who established the Thonburi Healthcare Group more than forty years ago as a graduate of the School of Medicine has been planning this development for many years. He has since built a chain of hospitals in Thailand so this development in the provision of healthcare is a natural transition. As a medical visionary he had the foresight to lay down plans for the ageing population which in Thailand has also become more financially stable.

SE Asia is becoming an ageing society where the percentage of population is in the senior citizen category. Thailand is number 3 in Asia. Number 1 is Japan, number 2 is Singapore which is approaching 20% now Thailand will also be 20% in 5 years time.

“Jin Wellbeing County” The new residential concept in retirement – The ultimate senior facility designed with universal design philosophy 

The interior design of Jin Wellbeing County follows universal design principles to ensure that furniture and other designed elements are simple and easily adaptable to each resident’s ageing preference. All family members can live harmoniously and equipment for seniors can be conveniently and safely installed in the future.

The ultimate senior healthcare services

Life can be all about happiness and fun with health woes off your back. At Jin Wellbeing County, healthcare is simplified with their all round optional services.

Timeline

The piling is already done and they will commence digging the foundations in the 4th quarter of 2018 – November December. The transfer of documents and the first occupants will move in in 2019 and they hope to have all units occupied by March 2019.

The current site goes back another 2 kilometres to the Rangsit red line train tracks so they have the land to expand in the current location if necessary. As Rangsit is liable to flood they have built a moat all round the complex to allow the water to run off. There are also lagoons and canals built on site to take the pressure off the complex.

Mr Lee was very pleased to tell me that they have already received their first award an Honourable Mention at The 2018 Environment for Ageing Design Showcase – the only project in Asia to be recognised. After looking round the scaled model with the 1,300 units divided in to several cells – 44 and 66sqm metre show flats priced between 4 – 6 million Baht I think that this will be the first of many active retirement communities from Jin Wellbeing.

Thailand is the perfect country to locate active retirement complexes primarily because of the climate, the cost of living and labour costs.

Given the option of growing old in a cold north European climate like the UK or one of the Scandinavian countries with dark mornings and early nights, wet and cold and taxed to the eyeballs, the sunny climes of Thailand with their delightful people, good cuisine and low taxation, there is little choice.

You can get a retirement visa in Thailand at the age of 50 and all you have to do is confirm that you are still based at the same address every 90 days to the immigration authorities in Thailand. The concierge service at the complex will cater for all these eventualities.

This is a ultimate senior healthcare solution for Asian, Australian and Western expats living in Thailand. Prevention which provides a clear professional evaluation with recommendations for tailored dietary and wellness active in its plans. Treatment on site courtesy of general clinic and emergency response teams. Recovery in the rehabilitation hospital with hydrotherapy and physiotherapy programmes available and Long Term Care for chronic illnesses and for the aged.

A personal tracking system is available for all residents whilst highly secure control systems protective premises at every gate and lift with 24/7 monitoring. The complex will offer residents a range of workshops, classes and community projects to encourage residents to spend as much time out of their individual unit as possible and into the community.

You can contact Jin Wellbeing County for more information on 02 147 5758, 062 802 9999 or check the website www.jinwellbeing.com