The Thai government is planning to increase health insurance costs for migrant workers to bring their coverage closer to the universal healthcare benefits available to Thai citizens.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin stated that the current health insurance fees for non-Thais range from THB1,600 ($47.50) to THB2,400 ($72) per person, while the government spends around THB3,800 ($113) per person annually for Thai citizens under the universal healthcare scheme. The proposed price adjustment aims to address concerns that lower migrant insurance costs may lead to an overuse of Thailand’s healthcare system.
The initiative is also designed to reduce the financial burden on public hospitals, which often struggle with unpaid medical bills from uninsured non-Thai patients. The government has been working on policies to ensure that migrant workers contribute fairly to the healthcare system.
As of October 2024, a total of 309,416 migrant workers and their dependents were enrolled in Thailand’s Migrant Health Insurance Fund. This includes 262,843 workers and dependents over seven years old, 39,602 dependents under seven, and 6,971 general migrants, primarily from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
While the proposed hike aims to balance costs, it may raise concerns among migrant workers and advocacy groups about affordability and access to healthcare. The final decision on the price adjustment is still under review by the Thai government.