Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has kicked off the fourth phase of the upgrade of the Universal Health Coverage program, known as the “30-baht Treatment Anywhere,” covering all provinces nationwide from 1 January 2025 onward.

The launch of the fourth phase took place on 25 December 2024 at a ceremony, held in the Santi Maitri Building, Government House. it took one year for the upgrade of the program from “30-baht Treatment of all Diseases” to “30-baht Treatment Anywhere,” in four phases.

The upgrade aims to allow Thais to easily access care at facilities beyond their designated providers. This means that people who are eligible for the Universal Health Coverage program may receive medical treatment outside the hospitals they are assigned to, but still within the same province. They simply show a single identification card to have access to the medical services.

The first phase was kicked off on 7 January 2024 covering four pilot provinces, namely Roi Et, Phrae, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat. 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated that the 30-baht Treatment Anywhere program will be carried out in all provinces, starting from 1 January 2025. The Government has achieved its target to upgrade this program within one year.

She said that digital technology in public health management has been adopted for efficient patient record sharing at all levels of the participating medical facilities. 

Telemedicine has also been used more widely to facilitate medical services, and more drugstores and private clinics have been allowed to serve as primary healthcare units to take care of the people. This will reduce hospital congestion and travel time to visit hospitals. 

The Prime Minister said that, in 2025, the Government would develop the public health system further. For instance, palliative care centers will be established nationwide. Jobs will be offered for 15,000 care givers in communities, and comprehensive psychiatric services will be provided to take care of the people’s mental health.