Mae Hong Son Residents Petition to Save Doctors' Hardship Allowance
Over 1,000 Mae Hong Son residents have signed a petition opposing the Ministry of Public Health's cancellation of the Chor 11 hardship allowance for medical staff at Sri Sangwal Hospital. Organizers warn the cut will drive doctors away from the remote, mountainous province — which lacks private hospitals and a commercial airport — leaving villagers without adequate healthcare. The petition will be submitted to the ministry on November 11.
On November 9, 2026, thousands of Mae Hong Son residents gathered at the Chao Pho Mue Lek Shrine in Mae Hong Son Municipality to sign a petition demanding the Ministry of Public Health review its decision to cancel the Chor 11 hardship allowance for doctors, nurses, and medical personnel at Sri Sangwal Hospital. Organized by Chatchai Noisakul, founder of the One Teacher One Bridge Foundation, and supporters, the two-day signing drive aims to collect at least 1,000 signatures before submitting them to the ministry on November 11. Chatchai, whose organization regularly transports patients, disabled persons, and the poor to the hospital, emphasized the extreme difficulties faced by both patients and staff in the mountainous province, which has no private hospitals or commercial airport. Some patients travel from before dawn at 5 a.m. and return home as late as 9 p.m., while medical workers endure even greater hardships reaching remote villages on foot through forests and steep terrain. Chatchai warned that cancelling the allowance demoralizes staff and discourages new doctors from serving in the area. Local residents echoed concerns that without the allowance, doctors will transfer to larger cities, ultimately harming villagers who rely on the province's only public hospital. They urged senior administrators to consider the welfare of remote-area staff and the impact on local communities.
