Health in Thailand

Q: Is being a doctor a valued profession in Thailand like it is in the U.S.?

A: Being a doctor is a respected profession in Thailand.  However, there isn’t as great of a demand in Thailand as there is in the U.S.  There are many reasons behind this.  First of all since there are fewer doctors, especially in the rural areas, the doctors are over worked.  Another possible reason is that being a doctor doesn’t generate as high of an income as it does in the U.S.  The government subsidizes medical school to make the cost similar to other degrees.  However, because of this, when medical students graduate they are expected to work in a rural area for 3 years.  After those 3 years to make more money they can transfer to the city and open a private practice during the evening hours.  In order to get more doctors to the rural areas they are payed a higher wage.

Q: How many people exericse regularly in Thailand and what group of people in Thailand struggle most with exercising?

A: The National Statistics Office conveyed that between 2004 and 2007, exercise among the 11-year-old population increased from 29.2% to 29.6%. Out of the 11-14 year-old population 73.1% exercised regularly while only 45.4% of the 15-24 population exercised regularly.  With the elderly population (60-year olds) 28% are active.  The group at most risk is the 25-59 year olds because only 19.7% are active.  This is the workforce age group.  More coorperate wellness programs need to be implemented in Thailand to decrease obesity rates and improve the health among the workforce population. 

Q: What type of healthcare does Thailand have?

A: Thailand provides national health care coverage as of 2002.  However, in order for the person to receive full health care coverage they must be registered.  Unfortunately there are many hill tribe immigrants in the Northern regions of Thailand that are not registered citizens and therefore do not receive health care.  If a person chooses to go to a private hospital there will be no coverage provided.  Any private health care must be taken care of by the individual.

Q: Are smoking rates decreasing in Thailand?

A: Yes! According to the National Statistic’s Office the number of regular cigarette smokers has decreased from 9.53 million in 2006 to 9.49 million in 2007.  The poorer population tends to have higher smoking rates compared to the rich population; however, the number of poor and rich smokers have both decreased.

Q: What are the main causes of road accidents and are the rates decreasing?

A: The main causes of accidents are disobedience of traffic regulations including speeding, reckless overtaking, and drunk driving.  From 2004 to 2008 traffic accidents greatly decreased because of cooperation between public and private organizations involved in accident prevention.

Q: What is the general view of Thai adolescents on sexual relationships?

A: Results from opinion polls show that adolescents in Thailand have accepted sexual relationships without marriage.  In a survey of 15-22 year olds indicated that 48.8% of these youths admitted to having sexual relationships and 39.1% said that it was quite normal to change sexual partners.  As a result, 15-24 year olds are the group treated most for sexually transmitted diseases in the year 2007 and it continues to increase.

Q: Why does Thailand have a tobacco and alcohol tax?

A: Thailand taxes these substances because of their detrimental effect on the population.  They both increase risk of morbidity, mortality, and create a high disease burden.  The Government is able to collect huge taxes and non-tax revenue from both products.  They use these ‘sin taxes’ for innovative projects and activities to promote public health.

Q: What has been a difficulty that the Thai Health Promotion Foundation has encountered?

A: One of the main challenges is changing the focus of the Thai people from “health” to a broader consideration of “well-being.”  Health is not merely the absence of disease.  It is a complete sense of well-being.  The Health Promotion Foundation is trying to convey the importance of all areas of health.

Q: What was one of the biggest health differences I recognized between Thailand and the U.S.?

A: One of the most noticeable differences was the lack of law enforcement and health laws in Thailand.  There were numerous occassions I was completely shocked.  For example, when we were at the community health center and the nurse showed us the patient’s records and told us she was being treated for HIV/AIDS I was completely shocked.  There are so many laws in the U.S that protect the privacy of the patient.  Another example is with the helmet and seatbelt laws.  Although the driver on motorcycles must have a helmet the majority never wore helmets.  Same with seatbelts, the majority of the driver and front seat passenger never wore seatbelts.  Since we have such a good organization of local, state, and federal government laws are able to be enforced much more efficiently.  Thailand is making many improvements in these areas, especially with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation getting more and more laws passed each year.  However, they still have a long ways to go.

Q: What was my favorite health experience in Thailand?

A: Since I am a public health major at BYU I absolutely loved the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.  From sitting down and meeting with one of their top employees I was able to discuss with her many of their ongoing interventions.  It is exciting to see the information we learn in school being put into practice.  Although the Health Promotion Foudation covers around 60 million people they still are able to cover a broad population and help improve the health of the Thai people.  They are doing great things and I’m excited to see the successes they will have in the next 10 years.