Civil Servant Healthcare Budget Near 100 Billion; Health Insurance Considered

Thansettakij•Economy•9d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government is exploring a shift from direct payment to health insurance for civil servant healthcare due to escalating costs, with 63.5 billion baht already disbursed in the first seven months of fiscal year 2026.

•The Thai government is studying a new healthcare welfare system for civil servants, moving from direct billing to health insurance.
•The cost of civil servant healthcare has significantly increased, with the government allocating 94.2 billion baht for fiscal year 2026.
•In the first seven months of fiscal year 2026, 63.585 billion baht was already disbursed for outpatient medical expenses.
•Over the past 10 years, civil servant healthcare expenses have grown by approximately 57%, from 60 billion baht in 2017 to 94.2 billion baht in 2026.

Overview

•The Thai government is considering reforms to the civil servant healthcare welfare system.
•The primary reason for the reform is the continuous increase in the budget burden for civil servant medical expenses.
•For the fiscal year 2026, the government allocated a budget of 94,200 million baht for civil servant healthcare.
•In the first 7 months of fiscal year 2026, 63,585 million baht was disbursed for outpatient medical expenses through the direct billing system.
•The monthly expenditure for medical expenses in fiscal year 2026 averaged between 7-8 billion baht.
•Civil servant healthcare expenses grew from 60,000 million baht in 2017 to 94,200 million baht in 2026, an increase of 34,200 million baht.
•The government is studying the feasibility, impact, and next steps for implementing a health insurance system.
•The draft budget for fiscal year 2027 still allocates 94,200 million baht for the medical expenses of civil servants, employees, and state employees.

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Key Quotes

Unnamed Source

""It is accepted that the budget burden for the medical expenses of civil servants, employees, and state employees tends to increase every year. For the fiscal year 2026, the government allocated a budget of 94,200 million baht.""

"ยอมรับว่า ภาระงบประมาณด้านค่ารักษาพยาบาลของข้าราชการ ลูกจ้าง และพนักงานของรัฐ มีแนวโน้มเพิ่มขึ้นต่อเนื่องทุกปี โดยในปีงบประมาณ 2026 รัฐบาลจัดสรรงบประมาณไว้ 94,200 ล้านบาท"

Key Entities

Person

Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas(นายเอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance who is involved in the consideration of civil servant welfare reform.

Mr. Pakorn Nilaphat(นายปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) who is considering the details of the civil servant welfare reform.

Organization

Civil Service Commission (CSC)(ก.พ.)

The committee chaired by Mr. Pakorn Nilaphat, responsible for considering civil servant welfare.

Comptroller General's Department(กรมบัญชีกลาง)

The department that discussed informally with Mr. Pakorn Nilaphat regarding healthcare welfare reform.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry providing information about the budget and healthcare expenses of civil servants.

Policy

Health Insurance(ประกันสุขภาพ)

A proposed alternative system for civil servant healthcare welfare, to replace the direct billing system.

Direct Billing System(ระบบเบิกจ่ายตรง)

The current system for civil servant healthcare reimbursement, which the government is considering replacing with health insurance.

Law

Draft Budget Expenditure Act for Fiscal Year 2027(ร่างพระราชบัญญัติงบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปีงบประมาณ 2027)

The legislative document that still allocates 94,200 million baht for the medical expenses of civil servants, employees, and state employees.