Safety
Senator Calls for Urgent Reform of Thailand’s Emergency Medical and Disaster Response Systems
Senator Dr. Premsak Pia-yura highlights two decades of disaster-related economic losses and fatalities, urging a structural overhaul of emergency medical services.
According to a report from Khaosod Online Thailand, Senator Dr. Premsak Pia-yura, chair of a Senate working group on crisis management and digital emergency medicine, has called for a comprehensive reform of Thailand’s disaster response infrastructure. During the group's sixth meeting, data was presented covering the period from 2004 to 2024, revealing that recurring disasters have caused 2.2 trillion baht in economic damage and resulted in 10,549 deaths, affecting over 68 million people.
Dr. Premsak emphasized that while the complexity and severity of disasters are increasing, current investments in preparedness remain insufficient. The proposed reforms focus on restructuring the financial framework of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and establishing a dedicated fund for disaster victims. The initiative aims to integrate digital technology to improve crisis management before the situation worsens.
For residents and travelers, this development signals a potential shift in how emergency services are funded and managed in the future. While the proposal highlights a critical need for modernization, it remains to be confirmed how these structural changes will be implemented or how they might specifically impact the availability and speed of emergency medical response in various regions. The Senate working group continues to study these issues to formulate formal recommendations for the government.