Survey Shows Most Thais Know Gold Card, But Need More Benefit Details
Most Thais recognize the name and contact details of Thailand's Gold Card health insurance scheme, but lack clear understanding of specific benefits and coverage details. A survey found that 55.96 percent of users want shorter wait times fo
Matichon Public Company Limited has released a survey on public awareness and understanding of Thailand's national health insurance system, commonly known as the Gold Card or 30-baht scheme. The survey found that most people recognize the scheme's name, responsible agencies, and contact channels at a high level, but still lack understanding of specific benefit details. Reducing wait times for services emerged as the top priority for improvement, cited by 55.96 percent of respondents.
The survey followed the Matichon Healthcare event, which provided health information and services to the public and gathered feedback on their needs. Results showed that people want accurate, easy-to-understand health information they can use in daily life, particularly regarding medical benefits and accessible health services. However, different demographic groups have varying levels of understanding, information consumption habits, and needs. Matichon conducted this survey to assess how well people understand their health rights, which channels they use to receive information, and what additional information they need, with the goal of developing health content and activities that better serve the public.
The survey included 110 respondents, mostly female (60 percent), with the largest age group being 46–60 years (40.37 percent), followed by 31–45 years (34.86 percent). About 61.82 percent lived in Bangkok, 68.18 percent held a bachelor's degree, and 59.26 percent worked in the private sector.
Regarding primary health insurance, 58.18 percent of respondents used social security insurance, 30.91 percent used the national health insurance scheme, and 10 percent used civil service health benefits. The survey therefore reflects general public awareness rather than the views of all Gold Card users.
Ninety-two point seventy-three percent recognized the Gold Card.
The survey found that "Gold Card" was the most recognized name at 92.73 percent, followed by "30-baht rights" at 89.09 percent and "National Health Insurance" at 65.45 percent. About 90.91 percent correctly identified the National Health Insurance Office (NHSO) as the administering agency, and 78.18 percent knew that the hotline 1330 was available to inquire about benefits or report problems.
When tested on understanding of Gold Card benefits, 56.37 percent of respondents scored between 8–10 out of 10. They showed good understanding of contact channels and emergency provisions, with 86.36 percent aware that the NHSO hotline 1330 can be used to inquire about and report issues with benefit use, and 85.45 percent knowing that critical emergency patients could use the UCEP benefit to seek treatment at the nearest hospital.
However, gaps remain in understanding health promotion and disease prevention services, with only 52.73 percent answering correctly while 47.27 percent were unsure or mistaken. Additionally, regarding the right to claim initial compensation for damage from public health services, 60 percent answered correctly and 29.09 percent were unsure or unaware, highlighting the need for clearer explanations of benefit details and conditions.
Social media is the primary information channel.
In the three months before taking the survey, 70.91 percent of respondents had received information about the Gold Card. The most-accessed channel was the NHSO's Facebook page at 47.27 percent, followed by the NHSO Line official account at 38.18 percent.
