On December 21, Dr. Montien Kanasawad, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, addressed public concerns regarding healthcare access for non-Thais, particularly stateless individuals and migrants. He reaffirmed that Thailand’s healthcare system operates under legal provisions and adheres to fundamental human rights, offering medical care to all individuals in the country regardless of nationality, religion, or beliefs. Dr. Montien explained that specific funds and international networks support these efforts, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for non-Thai residents.

The government has organized healthcare rights into three categories:

  1. Stateless Persons: Individuals in this group, who are undergoing nationality verification and have received a 13-digit ID number from the Ministry of Interior, are entitled to healthcare services under the T.99 Health Insurance Fund. This fund, backed by Cabinet approval, currently supports 723,603 registered individuals.
  2. Registered Migrant Workers: Legal foreign workers with work permits are covered under the Social Security system, providing them access to medical care, maternity benefits, unemployment support, and other welfare programs.
  3. Uninsured Migrants and Dependents: Migrants from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia not enrolled in Social Security may purchase health insurance through the Ministry of Public Health. This includes health checks and coverage for dependents, allowing access to healthcare services, health promotion, and disease prevention programs, while alleviating the financial burden on hospitals.

Dr. Montien highlighted efforts to standardize the registration process for individuals under the T.99 Fund, ensuring a unified approach across agencies. Eligibility requires a 13-digit ID number from the Ministry of Interior, along with documentation such as ID cards, house registration, or certifications from relevant authorities.

For non-Thais outside these systems, healthcare services must be paid for out-of-pocket. In cases where individuals are unable to pay, service providers may offer assistance based on humanitarian principles, with some costs supported by international organizations. Dr. Montien emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among agencies to address these issues systematically.