In 2021, the number of doctors in Thailand increased from the previous year to 38.8 thousand. On the other hand, the number of physicians in the country has fluctuated since 2011. In comparison, the number of pharmacists has been steadily increasing since 2012, reaching around 16 thousand in 2021.
More than one thousand population per doctor
The shortage of medical staff in Thailand has been a serious issue for a long time. In 2021, Thailand had a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1,680, which means that, on average, one doctor is responsible for almost 1.7 thousand people. In comparison to other ASEAN member countries, doctors or physicians in the Philippines have a higher workload, with a ratio of one doctor per 26 thousand population in 2022. Despite a better ratio compared to the Philippines, Thailand’s doctor-to-population ratio is still below the World Health Organization (WHO) standard, which is a ratio of 1:1,000.
Becoming a doctor in Thailand
According to the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), the most significant factor affecting the shortage of doctors is the long path to becoming a doctor in Thailand. The six-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is divided into three phases, comprising general education, basic medical science, and gaining clinical experience in hospitals across Thailand. After completing the MD program, a graduate can continue additional postgraduate training for three to four years to become a specialist.
Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021
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Number of doctors in thousands
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National Statistical Office (Thailand). (June 29, 2023). Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/
National Statistical Office (Thailand). "Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s)." Chart. June 29, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/
National Statistical Office (Thailand). (2023). Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/
National Statistical Office (Thailand). "Total Number of Doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/
National Statistical Office (Thailand), Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/ (last visited July 03, 2024)
Total number of doctors in Thailand from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s) [Graph], National Statistical Office (Thailand), June 29, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/995649/thailand-total-number-doctors/