Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over the launch of a new and free medical service scheme in the north-eastern province of Roi-et this Sunday, under which only an ID card is needed.

 

The “30-baht Plus” universal health scheme will initially be launched on trial in basis in Roi-et, Phrae, Phetchaburi and Narathiwat.

 

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said today that members of the public can gain access to free medical services at any state and private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies which have joined the program.

 

He said that all the medical facilities are electronically networked, so they can share information in the records of the patients, which means that patients will receive similar medical services, be it at a state hospital or a clinic.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-05

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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Help me out here please -

If someone is paying into the 30 baht scheme, then the medical treatment is not free surely.

It is heavily subsidised admittedly.

Some people pay for years and may not need the 'free' services.

Help me out too, I thought Thais only paid 30b when they need treatment, and at the clinics. 

44 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Help me out too, I thought Thais only paid 30b when they need treatment, and at the clinics. 

I think that you were correct when it first came out, but there have been a number of changes (from what I can find out).

 

That 'evil' PM , Thaksin, was the person who pushed it through in 2002. As I often say, he was the only PM to give to Thailand's poor and not the rich. That is why he is hated so much in the press.

Then when he was ousted, the scheme was changed. More than once. So it does seem that the current PM is making it totally free now.

Again, I could be wrong. Some articles are not very clear.

An interesting quote from the enquirer back in 2020

https://www.thaienquirer.com/12090/the-history-of-thailands-universal-healthcare-coverage-and-its-uncertain-future/

Quote

“Every year, we at the Ministry of Public Health are given less budget. We have enough budget to buy weapons but not enough for healthcare.”

 

On 1/5/2024 at 2:42 AM, Tropicalevo said:

Help me out here please -

If someone is paying into the 30 baht scheme, then the medical treatment is not free surely.

It is heavily subsidised admittedly.

Some people pay for years and may not need the 'free' services.

People do not pay in to a scheme.

 

They pay 30 baht for treatment when they need it.