Introducing the history of "Wat Huay Plakang Hospital for the Underprivileged," a 90-bed private hospital that first opened on 1 December 2022 with the mission to provide free medical care to the poor.
It has become a trending topic on social media that Wat Huay Plakang Hospital for Society, located within Wat Huay Plakang in Ban Du Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, a primary and secondary care hospital, began facing a budget shortage in early 2026. It now has funds to operate for only about two more months, as the hospital requires an average monthly budget of over 6 million baht, as previously reported.
Wat Huay Plakang Hospital for Society is a private primary and secondary care hospital housed in a 108-meter-long, seven-story building with 90 beds. It was constructed at a cost exceeding 730 million baht and officially opened on 1 December 2026. The temple's intention is to provide free medical treatment to patients without charging fees, supported by a team of approximately 60 doctors, nurses, and staff members.
Phra Paisan Prachatonwi, also known as "Luang Por Pobchok," the abbot of Wat Huay Plakang, revealed that Chiang Rai still has many people without Thai nationality and others who find it difficult to access good medical care. Therefore, the idea to build this hospital had long been in mind, initially focusing on dentistry and oral health but also capable of treating general illnesses and examining internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs using modern equipment. The hospital can accommodate about 500 patients daily, with plans to expand to 1,000 in the future.
The temple will not undertake new construction projects anymore, choosing instead to dedicate its budget solely to hospital operations. It will coordinate with Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for patient referrals in severe cases. Staff, including doctors, nurses, and other personnel, will be selected based on their public spirit and social etiquette.
Phra Paisan Prachatonwi, or "Luang Por Pobchok," disclosed that recently, various crises have arisen, including rising fuel prices, causing fewer visitors and donors at the temple. This reduced income means the temple cannot support the hospital's operational budget as in previous years.
Currently, the hospital faces shortages of supplies, medicines, medical equipment, and budget for staff and volunteers. Calculations show that the remaining budget can only sustain hospital management for about two more months.
Nonetheless, the temple remains committed to continuing its mission of aiding poor patients. It has called on generous donors wishing to support Wat Huay Plakang Hospital for Society to contribute via the following bank account. Kasikorn Bank, account number 118-1-21984-6, under the name “Wat Huay Plakang.” This support will help ensure the hospital can continue to provide care for impoverished patients.
