- 70.8% of Thais would prefer to live in an intergeneration family
- Survey reveals that Thais aspire to live in intergeneration households, for 
happy relationships and greater security in ill health
- Intergeneration family living is rising globally amid aging demographics that 
call for more caring relationships 

Mulberry Grove by Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), a 
leading property developer in Thailand, recently held “INTERGENERATIN FAMILY 
LIVING FORUM”, one of the year’s standout events, gathering well-known Thai and 
international experts to speak on the Intergeneration Family trend and share 
the results of the first major survey on Thai attitudes to multigenerational 
family living. 

Mr. Keerin Chutumstid, President, Property & Service Business Group of MQDC, 
said that MQDC follows a philosophy “For all well-being” to conduct business 
with social responsibility. The property developer studies every aspect of 
living carefully to develop properties that satisfy residents and boost their 
well-being. The forum has been organized to help develop high-quality 
residences in harmony with the living preferences of families who want to live 
together happily as several generations during economic and social change.

Moreover, the forum highlights the importance of family bonds, living values, 
relationships, and family time as well as knowledge transfer from generation to 
generation through presenting research results and expert views with the hope 
that its audience can find information to plan their lives and housing in the 
long term.

Asst. Prof. Pimonpan Isarabhakdi, Ph.D., the consultant and special professor 
of Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, shared the 
results of the institute’s survey of 400 respondents nationwide between 15 and 
65 years in May 2019. The study found that 70.8% of the sample wants to live in 
an intergeneration household. This preference was especially strong in those 
over 40, of whom 80.7% held this view. Of respondents living in 4-generation 
families, 92% expressed a preference for intergeneration family living. In 
3-generation families, the figure was 78.9%. Moreover, it was found that the 
households with 3 generations tend to boost the psychological well-being of 
family members more than other compositions.

Ms. Keiko Sugi, CEO, Director of Total Quality Management Office at Social 
Welfare Corporation KOTOEN, an expert in social care from Japan, said that for 
over a decade many countries have focused on the issues of an aging society, 
especially property projects for independent aging citizens who live alone 
without support from their relatives. These residences for aging people or 
nursing homes are therefore not enough to meet demand and their services are 
inadequate, impacting on quality of life and creating isolation. Residential 
projects must improve to focus on the intergeneration family model, Ms. Sugi 
said.

Assoc. Prof. Vipan Prachuabmoh, Ph.D., Dean of College of Population Studies, 
Chulalongkorn University, said that last year 11.7 million of Thais were 60 or 
over, or 16.9% of the population. The proportion of old people is constantly 
rising. Thailand should therefore have better options for elderly nursing care 
focused on building relationships within families,  not sending older adults to 
nursing homes or other institutions. Japan is the best example for elderly care 
because its system provides care to keep older adults at home as much as 
possible.

“It’s human nature for people to need love and care, especially from family 
members. Most of the elderly, especially ones at the end of life, want to 
return home while their children need to be loved and cared for too. When the 
elderly are able to live with their grandchildren, the family’s relationships 
will strengthen. Older adults will therefore have important roles to boost 
family warmth, encouraging their children and becoming a focal point for all 
family members, making the family stronger,” said Assoc. Prof. Prachuabmoh.

Ms. Samantha Allen, Director, IWBI Asia, International WELL Building Institute 
(IWBI), draws from a background of research in both psychology and 
environmental science to aid overall market development, education, and greater 
adoption of the WELL Building Standard and WELL Community Standard in the Asia 
Pacific region.

“Growing up in Asia, it was normal to have three generations in a household, 
and in my own home, my grandmother was my third parent. I saw from an early age 
the discrepancies and commonalities in health and well-being needs across 
different life stages – and that has demonstrated to me the importance of 
having a physical environment that supports those needs. I believe that the 
WELL Building Standard provides guiding principles that support built 
environments suitable for all ages,” Ms. Allen said.

Mr. Roongrote Chongsujipan, Senior Vice President of Mulberry Grove at Magnolia 
Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), said that looking back to the 
fundamentals of the Asian or Thai family, the structure has clearly changed 
from extended families with 3-4 generations to nuclear families since the end 
of the Baby Boom. Baby Boomers are currently becoming older adults of 55 years 
and over, most living in modern smaller family households. Changing economic 
and social factors bringing high competition at work have led many to seek to 
live near their workplaces or convenient travel. This trend is reducing 
family’s relationships and extends the distance between family members. 

“With a strong conviction that family warmth and strong family bonds matter 
most, Mulberry Grove by MQDC has used research to develop our property to 
ensure we can provide happiness and well-being for all generations,” said Mr. 
Chongsujipan.

About Mulberry Grove 
Mulberry Grove is developing Thailand's first super-luxury intergeneration 
family residences to bring back the true joy of family life. Based on extensive 
research, Mulberry Grove residences will support warm and fulfilling 
relationships, meeting the needs of every generation for sustainable 
well-being. The MQDC brand’s first residences are now underway in several 
locations in Bangkok.

About Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC)
Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC) is a property developer 
that develops, invests in, and manages residential, mixed-use, commercial, and 
hotel projects with a corporate commitment ‘for all well-being’.

MQDC brands include Magnolias, Whizdom, The Aspen Tree, and Mulberry Grove, 
catering for a range of healthy, sustainable lifestyles.

The company provides an industry-leading 30-year warranty on its residential 
units in line with its exceptional construction standards.

For more information, visit www.mqdc.com.

SOURCE: Mulberry Grove

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=337670

   Caption: From left: Ms. Samantha Allen, Assoc. Prof. Vipan Prachuabmoh, Mr. 
Roongrote Chongsujipan, Mr. Keerin Chutumstid, Mrs. Keiko Sugi, Asst. Prof. 
Pimonpan Isarabhakdi, and Mrs. Suquan Bulakul