Education & Health

The government of Thailand is highly focused on reforming education and has made some decisive moves to achieve this end. The administration is also starting to lay the foundations for the long term, pushing initiatives that will help education move into the future. It is, for example, working to increase research and development spending, from 0.46% of GDP in 2015 to 1.0% in 2016. This is central to making the universities more sustainable, competitive and relevant in an international context. Ultimately, the country may find that education can become a driver for economic growth. Health care is growing and is seen as a source of significant opportunity and growth. Not only is it strong on the domestic side, with more than 99% of the population receiving free health care, but it is also a highly competitive destination for medical tourism. Heavy investment continues in the sector. Hospital groups are raising funds and expanding, mergers are being undertaken and the sector is venturing overseas. This chapter contains an interview with Arthit Purairat, President, Rangsit University.