National—
On January 4th, 2024, Ms. Treechada Srithada, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, publicly revealed a new version of the Universal Coverage scheme, also known as the gold card or 30-baht scheme, in four pilot provinces including Phrae, Roi Et, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat.
The upgraded version of the gold card scheme according to the Thai government aimed to use only the Thai ID card for health services, officially kicking off on January 7th.
On the kick-off day, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, relevant agencies, and more than 10,000 Thai people will participate at Saket Nakhon Walking Street, Roi Et.
The single ID card could be used to access medical services officially in four pilot provinces and will expand the services to other provinces across Thailand in the future. The scheme was under the policy of the Pheu Thai Party and the Thai government’s stated policy to the Parliament, said Treechada.
The continuing scheme using a single ID card is available to access medical services for all diseases by public and private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacy stores participating in the scheme as Thai people must receive equal medical care, concluded Treechada.
