Modern healthcare in Thailand often incorporates traditional Thai methods. In fact, some hospitals have even integrated this traditional Thai medicine into its systems (Chotchoungchatchai, 2012). The modern Thai health care system aims to utilize herbal medicine in its established and progressive hospitals. A study conducted on the Kabchoeng Hospital shows that the integration of traditional Thai medicine and modern medicine are very sustainable for the Thai community (Chotchoungchatchai, 2012).

Modern Thai health care offers a wide variety of nonprofit health organizations (Health Care in Thailand). These health organizations include, Red Cross and World Vision. As already mentioned, Thailand is also a major medical tourism destination. There is a private medical sector, where a selection of trained doctors and medical facilities are available. On the other hand, it is very common for Thai doctors to be trained in particular fields (Health Care in Thailand). General practitioners are limited, and if seeking medical attention, a person will most likely meet with a specialist.

Overall, modern Thai health care has incredible quality. It is important to recognize that the Thai health care system is separated into three distinct areas (Health Care in Thailand). These areas include, government health services, non-profit health organizations, and the private medical sector. When traveling to Thailand there is an abundance of health care services available at a relatively affordable cost. Amongst other concerns that people may have in Thailand, health care should not be one of them.

Thai Versus American Health Care

The United States of America operates under multiple systems of healthcare, unlike in Thailand where there is only one system: universal healthcare. In the US citizens have a

selection of who to acquire insurance through. It can be purchased in the private marketplace or provided by the government to people who qualify (Ridic, 2012). Approximately 61% of coverage provided in the United States comes from employers (Ridic, 2012). Because there are huge savings associated with receiving benefits from an employer, most people pursue this option. Low-income families with no access to child supervision services are unable to sacrifice their time, and thus may not be able to access insurance through employers. In 2010 when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted, it amped coverage for impoverished people. “The [ACA] included an expansion of Medicaid eligibility to all those with incomes up to 138% of the poverty line, regardless of family status or place of residence (Blumberg, 2012).” Although the Supreme court voted to make this state optional, it showed that the United States was looking for a more practical and fair system.

Ninety-eight percent of Thailand’s citizens are covered by health insurance (CGD, 2017). In the United States there is a 90.9% coverage rate (USCB). Before the Universal Care Scheme (USC), Thailand had low coverage rates, and out-of-pocket paying was very common. The United States also had reduced rates and increased out-of-pocket spending before the ACA. On the personal level of the health care system in the US, one will find a lot of specialists and also a number of general practitioners. In Thailand, it is not quite the same. At health centers and hospitals specialists are the norm. Most of the doctors in Thailand will attend school in the United States and for tourists visiting the country it can be difficult to a general doctor.

In Thailand there are 21 hospital beds per 10,000 population. In the United States there are 29. The health worker density is also lower in Thailand than it is in the US. ~.4 physicians per 1,000 population vs. ~2.45 physicians per 1,000 population respectively (WHO, 2017). These differences are a symbol of the current advancements Thailand is making. With the USC now in its 17 year of use, we can expect to see if the system proves to be effective for the country.