Thailand’s public-health system is a standout in the midst of political turmoil, with the country boasting some of the most effective healthcare in the world. The average Thai person is expected to live up to 80 years old, longer than the regional average of 73 years in South-East Asia and even slightly longer than the average life expectancy in America and Europe, which is around 79 years.
Despite this success, there is a possibility that Thailand’s current leader, Srettha Thavisin, may face dismissal by the constitutional court over an allegedly illegal cabinet appointment. This follows a pattern of political instability that has plagued the country for decades, with 11 different prime ministers leading Thailand during this time.
Despite these challenges, Thailand has achieved impressive results when it comes to health insurance coverage. Last year, a staggering 99.5% of its population of 72 million was covered by health insurance. This high coverage rate is remarkable for a developing country like Thailand, where income per person is significantly lower than in America. Yet despite these challenges, Thailand managed to allocate a smaller percentage of its GDP towards public health than many developed countries, with its public-health bill in 2021 being only 6% of GDP compared to 17% in America and 11% in the European Union.
