Thailand: government spending on health

In 2020, government expenditure on health in Thailand amounted to approximately 506.8 billion Thai baht. Throughout the examined period, the government's health expenditure has been on the rise.

Government spending in Thailand

Government spending in Thailand has gradually increased in recent years. As of 2022, the government of Thailand spent at least 6.2 trillion Thai baht or around 170 million U.S. dollars across different sectors. Most of the spending is distributed to civil administration organizations, private businesses, and corporations to boost economic activity. Additionally, most of these expenditures are focused on Bangkok and nearby metropolitan areas since there is a high concentration of corporations and small-medium enterprises within these regions.

Thailand’s healthcare system

  The healthcare sector is the fifth leading sector with the highest government expenditure, following the education and social work sector. The Ministry of Public Health oversees three central healthcare schemes in Thailand: the civil service welfare sector, social security for private employees, and a universal coverage scheme. Although the healthcare system is diversified for citizens of all socioeconomic statuses, there are still challenges regarding the quality of medical services provided by public hospitals. Patients under these schemes often experience longer waiting times and occasionally subpar medical assistance due to the high number of patients. Therefore, many Thais prefer to pay a higher fee to receive care from private hospitals, contributing to the country’s expected continuous rise in healthcare per capita spending.