What makes Thai health care exceptional?

Political turmoil in Thailand has been a constant in the past two decades, with 11 different prime ministers leading the country during that time. The current leader, Srettha Thavisin, may face dismissal by the constitutional court due to an allegedly illegal cabinet appointment. This ongoing instability has not affected one crucial aspect of Thailand’s governance: its public-health system.

Thailand’s healthcare system is considered one of the most effective in the world. The average life expectancy for Thais is 80 years, surpassing their regional counterparts and even slightly longer than the average American and European. This success is evidenced by the fact that 99.5% of the population, totaling 72 million people, were covered by health insurance last year.

What is most remarkable about Thailand’s healthcare success 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 bill 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 considering the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Thailand’s ability to provide high-quality healthcare to its citizens stands as a shining example for other developing nations.