Thailand’s Rural Doctor Movement and Democratization of Public Health
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Abstract
In November 2024, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation honored the Rural Doctor Movement of Thailand, comprising the Rural Doctor Society (RDS) and the Rural Doctor Foundation (RDF), for their significant contributions to Thai public health over nearly 50 years. Originally formed as a self-help group addressing the working conditions of rural doctors in the 1970s, this movement has evolved into an influential, autonomous professional network within the country’s healthcare system. This academic article argues that, while advocating for their goals, rural doctors also play a crucial role in promoting democratic ideals within Thailand's public health sphere. Guided by Gardiner's (1994) work on the seven policies to enhance democratization in healthcare, this paper asserts that rural doctors navigated a landscape of political challenges and shortcomings in the Thai democratic system through their steadfast commitment to the right to health, public participation, transparency, accountability, decentralization of power and resources, and equitable access to healthcare services. By examining news articles and narrative accounts from rural doctors, this article deepens our understanding of the movement's lasting significance. It reinforces the movement’s role as a champion of the Thai healthcare system and a promoter of democracy in public health that could serve as a model for other Asian nations. Through the lenses of history and democracy, this work offers a different and updated view of the movement. Furthermore, the international recognition received by rural doctors underscores the importance of studying other professions and organizations that contribute to the development of democracy in Thailand.
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