The government is preparing to amend the Village Health Volunteers Act to extend the maximum registration age from the current 60 to 65 years in order to elevate protections, increase rights and welfare benefits. The draft is expected to be submitted for Cabinet approval in June 2026 GMT+7.
On 28 May 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Laksameesangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) of the Ministry of Public Health, is preparing to amend the “Village Health Volunteers Act (Year …)” to raise the maximum entry age, adjust the required service time for welfare eligibility, and enhance protections for senior volunteers. This aims to align with real-world conditions and meet work demands without leaving anyone behind. The draft is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration by June 2026 GMT+7.
Ms. Ploytale stated that the draft Village Health Volunteers Act was created to elevate the status, rights, and welfare of volunteers, securing legal recognition to honor their sacrifices as key health system personnel. Following the latest public consultation on 8 May 2026 GMT+7, the DHSS incorporated useful suggestions to refine the draft’s key provisions, making it more aligned with the volunteers’ work needs. Three main highlights include:
1) Proposing to raise the maximum registration age for Village Health Volunteers from the current limit of 60 to 65 years, reflecting today’s aging society. This encourages healthy seniors with experience to participate in community health care, helping to alleviate the shortage of local health personnel effectively.
2) Proposing to reduce the required years of service to qualify for welfare from at least 20 years to at least 10 years, as most volunteers start working between ages 40 and 50. Ten years is a realistically attainable period that properly reflects dedication and sacrifice for the community, providing volunteers with tangible access to benefits.
3) Proposing enhanced protections for senior volunteers who have long served community health. The law aims to support volunteers whose physical condition declines with age, potentially leading to termination, by ensuring they have access to welfare as a reward for their commitment. This demonstrates a firm commitment to care for volunteers with understanding, leaving no one behind.
"After compiling a summary report of all feedback and finalizing the amended draft, it is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in June 2026 GMT+7. Once the act is approved through the legislative process, it will provide stability, improve welfare, and boost morale for Village Health Volunteers nationwide," she concluded.