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The Public Health Ministry of Thailand is addressing a critical shortage of doctors in 52 regional and general hospitals with a new strategy focused on workforce expansion, increased pay, added benefits, and legal reforms. With 661 vacancies in community hospitals across 59 provinces, efforts are underway to improve staffing, especially in high-need zones. The ministry aims to raise compensation by 98 million baht to attract medical professionals to underserved areas.

 

This shortage primarily affects specialist fields such as obstetrics-gynaecology, surgery, and internal medicine. Border and rural hospitals face significant gaps in staffing, with severe shortages in “red zones.” Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat emphasized the importance of staff morale at a recent executive meeting, indicating that policies will soon be implemented to better distribute medical professionals in these critical regions. Financial and housing incentives are being reviewed to retain personnel in high-demand locations.

 

Currently, 17 provinces meet or exceed required staffing levels; these areas do not require additional doctors. Conversely, 12 provinces are identified as "red zones," with doctor shortages exceeding 40%. These provinces include Chiang Rai, Kalasin, and Si Sa Ket, among others. Meanwhile, 17 other provinces, classified as "orange zones," face shortages of 30–40%, with provinces like Chiang Mai and Udon Thani in this category.

 

To improve the situation, a comprehensive four-pronged strategy has been introduced. It includes recruiting new graduates and medical residents, increasing financial and professional benefits, and enacting necessary legal reforms. A total of 98 million baht has been designated to boost compensation, with 68 million aimed at doubling ER shift pay in "red zones" and another 30 million to enhance allowances for specialists in the six key fields.

 

As part of professional benefits, doctors serving in high-need zones will have advantages like scholarships for further studies and the ability to choose their placements. Legal reforms are also underway, focusing on amendments to the Public Health Ministry Administration Act, anticipated to progress through procedural stages this November.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand faces severe doctor shortages in 52 hospitals, with 661 vacant positions.
• A new plan allocates 98 million baht to enhance doctor incentives and staffing.
• Legal reforms are underway to support long-term solutions to staffing gaps.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-11-10

 

 

Part of the problem is that Thai universities are not graduating enough health care professionals.  A recent article (I forget from which Thai media) presented data showing that more Thai doctors are expected to retire this year than new Thai doctors expected to graduate from Thai universities.

 

Thai universities need to be allowed to accept more students into all of their health care programmes - medicine, nursing, dental, etc.

On 11/11/2025 at 8:06 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Part of the problem is that Thai universities are not graduating enough health care professionals.  A recent article (I forget from which Thai media) presented data showing that more Thai doctors are expected to retire this year than new Thai doctors expected to graduate from Thai universities.

 

Thai universities need to be allowed to accept more students into all of their health care programmes - medicine, nursing, dental, etc.

 

We've got the same artificial scarcity back home.  The answer here is to pay them more and work them less.