Health Minister Defends Gold Card Fund Distribution
Thailand's Health Minister defended the 60 billion baht Gold Card fund distribution for 2025, explaining that public hospitals receive roughly 120 billion baht total to serve 80% of the nation's population. The ministry ordered detailed fin
Public Health Minister Padthana Prom Patthan addressed the allocation of the 60 billion baht Gold Card fund for 2025 on August 5, 2025, at Government House. He explained that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) received approximately 170 billion baht in 2025 excluding salaries, with public hospitals under the Public Health Ministry recording around 110 billion baht from this budget. An additional 10 billion baht flows through Rajavithi Hospital as a drug procurement channel, while 3,000-4,000 million baht is distributed to hospitals outside the Public Health Ministry system, including military and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration facilities, as well as private clinics registered with the NHSO.
The minister noted that the Public Health Ministry handles roughly 120 billion baht in total, with the remaining 60 billion baht allocated to public hospitals serving approximately 80 percent of the nation's population. He emphasized that all budget allocations must be transparent and traceable, and announced that the finance committee has been directed to provide detailed clarification within seven days regarding which units received funds, their specific activities, and how money was actually spent.
The ministry is also implementing the 2019 Primary Care Act to establish service standards for prevention and health promotion programs. The minister stated that the Public Health Ministry is broad and deep in scope, serving all Thais across the country, and that budget use is determined at the regional hospital level based on actual need. He affirmed that every hospital must use budgets efficiently to ensure maximum value for money.
