Picture courtesy of SiamRath 

 

Mongkutwattana Hospital in Laksi district, Bangkok, will temporarily stop accepting patients under Thailand’s Gold Card scheme,  “30-baht scheme”, starting 16 October 2025. Hospital Director Dr. Riangthong Naenna stated the suspension follows unpaid debts exceeding 100 million baht from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), affecting more than 40,000 patients who rely on the scheme. Patients who wish to continue treatment must pay themselves at government hospital rates or be referred to other hospitals.

 

Dr. Riangthong explained that legal action has already been taken for cases from 2020, which may take 3–4 years to resolve, but current debts cannot yet be litigated as NHSO has not formally rejected payment. He suggested that delays may be due to NHSO’s lack of funds or personal grievances against him. The hospital is also concerned that applying new 2025 budget rules retroactively to 2024 could constitute a legal violation, though official statements on the matter have not been released.

 

The hospital confirmed that critical treatments, including inpatient care, deliveries, surgeries, heart operations and ICU admissions, will continue. However, outpatient services under the Gold Card scheme will be suspended, requiring patients to pay for care themselves. Dr. Riangthong emphasised that the hospital is not refusing or transferring patients intentionally but is constrained by the unresolved payments.

 

Patient reactions have largely been supportive of the hospital’s stance, with nearly 100% offering encouragement. Dr. Riangthong expressed sympathy for those affected, particularly Gold Card patients facing ongoing health challenges and reiterated that the hospital awaits further action from NHSO.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Mongkutwattana Hospital suspends Gold Card outpatient services from 16 October due to unpaid debts exceeding 100 million baht.

• Critical treatments, including surgeries and ICU care, will continue unaffected.

• Legal action for older debts is ongoing, while current debts remain unresolved due to NHSO’s inaction.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now From Siamrath 2025-10-15

 

 

 

 

The unpaid debts... are the numbers accurate or inflated  due to too many snouts in the trough ?

Note this vindictive hospital owner founded the Rubbish Collection Organization, a group of vigilante lese majeste hunters. Put this guy into poverty.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubbish_Collection_Organization

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/423789/doctor-sick-of-all-the-trash