The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Public Health to double the monthly allowance given to village health volunteers nationwide, from 1,000 to 2,000 baht. Village health volunteers have been cited as a mechanism in the people’s sector serving as a foundation for Thailand’s public health system.

The decision to increase the allowance was made on 7 March 2023, and the new allowance will be included in the 2024 fiscal year, which begins in October 2023.

There are currently 1.07 million village health volunteers, supervised by the Ministry of Public Health, and 15,000 Bangkok public health volunteers, supervised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. They will benefit from the Cabinet decision.

The Cabinet was told that health volunteers deserved a higher allowance, as they have more responsibilities for taking care of people’s health, in line with the Government’s policy. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, disease prevention, and the reduction of health problems, especially among senior citizens. They have been assigned to help control the spread of COVID-19 in communities in the post-pandemic era and monitor the condition of drug addicts who have already passed voluntary rehabilitation.

Village health volunteers are a major force in developing primary health care in the country on a continual basis. Thailand has been able to manage the COVID-19 situation effectively, with the help of village health volunteers, who have worked with devotion.

They undertake health surveys, collect data, maintain family health records, and carry out disease prevention campaigns to support the public health authorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cabinet also approved a special allowance for village health volunteers, who worked together with the Ministry of Public Health's family care team and public healthcare workers in an efficient manner. 

Regarded as frontliners, Thailand’s village health volunteers have earned recognition and praise from both the Thai people and the global community.