Political instability has been a persistent issue in Thailand for the past two decades, with 11 different prime ministers leading the country during that period. The current leader, Srettha Thavisin, is facing potential dismissal by the constitutional court due to allegedly illegal cabinet appointments. Despite this ongoing unrest, one aspect of Thailand’s governance remains robust: its public-health system.
Thailand’s healthcare system is widely regarded as one of the most effective in the world. The average life expectancy for Thais is 80 years, significantly higher than their regional counterparts and even slightly above the average American and European. This success can be attributed to the fact that 99.5% of the population, totaling 72 million people, were covered by health insurance last year.
What makes Thailand’s healthcare success even more remarkable is that it has been achieved as a developing country. Despite having a significantly lower income per person compared to the U.S., Thailand’s public health expenditure was only 6% of its GDP in 2021, far lower than the 17% spent in America and 11% in the European Union. This achievement is particularly impressive given the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Thailand’s ability to provide high-quality healthcare to its citizens serves as an inspiring example for other developing nations.
