Government Opens Public Consultation on Optometry Decree Draft
The Thai government opened public consultation until Nov. 13 on a draft decree to regulate optometry as a healing art, establishing professional standards and a licensing committee.
The government invites the public to comment on the Draft Royal Decree on Optometry from today until November 13. This aims to establish optometry as a branch of healing arts, controlling professional standards related to eyes and vision.
On October 26, 2026, Ms. Ploytalay Lakmaisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Health Service Support Department (HSSD) of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), is opening for feedback on the principles of the Draft Royal Decree on Optometry B.E. ... via the central legal system. The public, optometrists, and medical and public health professionals can submit comments from today until November 13, 2026.
Ms. Ploytalay stated that currently, optometry practice is considered a branch of healing arts and must fall under Section 31 of the Medical Profession Act B.E. 2542 and its amendments, and the Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 2 (B.E. 2559) on permitting persons to practice healing arts using optometry. However, since optometry is not a branch of healing arts under Section 5 of the Medical Profession Act and its amendments, there is no optometry professional committee to consider disciplinary actions against optometrists who violate practice restrictions or professional ethics. This results in insufficient control of optometry professional standards, necessitating a Royal Decree to designate optometry as a healing arts branch to regulate professional standards concerning eyes and vision.
Ms. Ploytalay said the key points open for comment total 10 items, including: 1) Agreement on the definition of optometry covering eye examination and measurement, diagnosis and correction of vision abnormalities, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye muscle training, and use of tools, equipment, or drugs as specified. 2) Agreement on designating optometry as a healing arts branch under the Medical Profession Act to elevate eye care standards and protect service recipients. 3) Agreement on scope exemptions excluding correction of vision abnormalities due to the optic nervous system, surgery or laser, and practice by personnel of other professions as prescribed by law. 4) Agreement on establishing an Optometry Professional Committee to oversee professional standards under the Medical Profession Act. 5) Agreement on the committee composition comprising government agency representatives, representatives of higher education institutions teaching optometry, qualified experts, and elected optometry practitioners. 6) Agreement on requiring applicants for registration and licensure as optometry practitioners to have graduated from an optometry program at an institution certified by the Professional Committee and passed required examinations. 7) Agreement on qualifications for foreign graduates without Thai nationality, requiring a license to practice optometry from the country of graduation. 8) Agreement on transitional provisions allowing those holding existing permits under the previous Ministry of Public Health Notification, with unexpired licenses, to apply for registration and licensure.
