Health Minister Orders Audit of 60 Billion Baht NHSO Budget

On August 3, 2026, Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, Phatthana Phromphat, announced an official inquiry into the allocation of approximately 60 billion baht from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) budget. Speaking after a board meeting at the NHSO, the Minister expressed concerns that these funds, which relate to the 2025 fiscal year, were not integrated into the Ministry of Public Health’s system, despite the Ministry serving as the primary healthcare provider for the public.

Minister Phatthana has set a seven-day deadline for officials to clarify how these funds were distributed, which agencies received them, and whether the spending was conducted efficiently. The Minister noted that while he had been aware of the situation, he had previously refrained from speaking publicly about it. The board has now tasked Manida Phucharoen with overseeing the clarification process.

For residents and expatriates in Thailand, this audit is significant as it concerns the transparency and management of the national healthcare system, which underpins public medical services. While the investigation is currently an internal administrative matter, it highlights ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in public health spending. It remains to be confirmed which specific agencies received the funds and whether the audit will reveal any irregularities in the 2025 budget allocation process.