Government Defends Gold Card Budget Against Misuse Claims

Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Phasiwarawat responded to criticism of the National Health Security Fund (gold card) budget management, rejecting allegations that healthcare funds were used to organize events or activities. The government welcomes full investigation at every stage because public spending must be transparent and auditable, though it requested that public communication be based on factual grounds to prevent public misunderstanding of the country's health insurance system.

Regarding questions about the gold card budget exceeding 60,000 million baht raised by Health Minister Pattana Prom-pattana, the government clarified this was an inquiry to examine budget allocation structures in detail, not an accusation of missing funds or corruption. After receiving clarification from the National Health Security Office, it was confirmed that funds were not missing but distributed to service units including medical schools, hospitals under other agencies, private hospitals, local health funds, and local government organizations. The current audit aims to show budget allocation details and increase system transparency, not to allege missing funds.

Phasiwarawat stated that allegations of diverting gold card budget to organize hospital activities contradict the facts. The health security budget has clear payment criteria and expenditure rules that cannot be used for other purposes. Any hospital activity budgets come from hospital maintenance funds under relevant regulations, not from the gold card medical service budget, and ministers lack authority to transfer or direct gold card funds for other activities as claimed.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is reviewing budget allocation guidelines to align with actual service unit workloads, particularly ministry hospitals serving the majority of the country's population, and studying the appropriateness of allocations by category to increase efficiency and fairness. If anyone has evidence of improper budget use, the government is ready for authorized agencies to conduct thorough investigation with no protection for wrongdoers. All procurement projects must comply with law and be auditable.

"The government has never rejected inspection and welcomes authorized agencies to investigate fully, listening to all beneficial suggestions and ready to improve budget allocation systems," the spokesperson said. "But allegations of misusing people's gold card funds should have clear supporting evidence, as this may cause misunderstanding and damage confidence in the health security system used by over 47 million people. Therefore, discussions and criticism should be fact-based, as all parties should aim to strengthen, make transparent, and improve Thailand's health security system for better public service—not create social confusion."