Thai Ministry of Health Addresses Allegations Regarding Medication Robot Procurement

On August 26, 2026, Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, Phatthana Phromphat, addressed claims made by the Facebook page 'STRONG Club Against Corruption Thailand.' The page alleged that senior Ministry officials were pressuring hospital directors to specify procurement requirements for medication-dispensing robots, which range in cost from 10 to 60 million baht. The social media post further suggested that these actions were being conducted under threat of leaked recordings.

Minister Phatthana stated that the Ministry currently lacks information regarding these specific allegations. He emphasized that any procurement conducted by hospitals under the Ministry’s jurisdiction must be justified by operational needs and that several facilities have already begun utilizing these technologies. He noted that these robots serve various functions, including the preparation of cancer medications and general pharmacy dispensing systems. The Minister remarked that if procurement falls under the Ministry of Public Health, it is the Ministry’s responsibility to oversee the process, rather than external entities.

For residents and travelers, this development highlights ongoing public scrutiny regarding the transparency of medical equipment investments in the Thai healthcare system. While the Ministry maintains that these systems are functional and necessary for modernizing hospital operations, the validity of the corruption allegations remains unconfirmed. Further investigation or official clarification from the Ministry will be required to determine if any procedural irregularities occurred.