The government is advancing the enhancement of medical services by opening 16 "Premium Clinics" under the Department of Medical Services to provide more options for specialized medical care, reduce overcrowding, and shorten hospital waiting times.
On 2 July 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that following the government's policy to upgrade Thailand's healthcare system to be comprehensive and modern, ensuring convenient and rapid public access to health services, the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, is pushing forward this policy by opening 16 Premium Clinics under its jurisdiction. These clinics aim to reduce overcrowding and waiting times in hospitals and expand options for specialized medical care, enabling the public to access services widely, equitably, and promptly.
“Developing the health service system by expanding access to special outpatient clinics outside regular hours (SMC) and special-format clinics (PMC) is a key mechanism to provide the public with convenient, fast, and quality services. It also maximizes the use of personnel and facility potential, generating revenue that hospitals can use to compensate staff and advance service capabilities. These clinics employ modern, efficient, and safe medical technology and equipment, focusing on upgrading service quality and establishing new service standards. The development of these special clinics targets income groups seeking alternative services, life and health insurance beneficiaries, and foreigners, as these special services may have different fees than regular hours,” Ms. Ploytale explained.
Ms. Ploytale added that currently the Department of Medical Services operates 16 Premium Clinics across affiliated agencies, including Rajavithi Hospital, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Metta Pracharak Hospital (Wat Rai Khing), Song Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, Dental Institute, Institute of Neurology, National Cancer Institute, Chest Disease Institute, Dermatology Institute, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute, Lopburi Cancer Hospital, Chonburi Cancer Hospital, Thanyarak Khon Kaen Hospital, and Surat Thani Cancer Hospital.
In the future, the Department of Medical Services plans to expand the Premium Clinic services further to ensure patients can access standardized treatment that improves quality of life. Citizens can currently use Premium Clinic services at all 16 affiliated hospitals under the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health.