Abstract
Thailand is currently facing rapid growth in the proportion of its aging population, especially in Bangkok. The general concern is that difficulty in daily transportation for elderly people might limit their ability to travel and participate in society, leading to the problem of social exclusion. This study investigated the process that leads to feelings of social exclusion as caused by unsatisfactory transportation, an issue which has received little attention in Southeast Asian countries. Based on Structural Equation Modeling approach, the results of 237 samples collected from elderly users of private cars and ground public transport living in Bangkok indicated that dissatisfaction with driving and the use of public transport generated gaps between actual and desired trip frequencies to engage in social activities, leading to social participation deficits and the subsequent result of feeling social exclusion. Implementation was raised in an effort to remedy feelings of social exclusion among the elderly.
