Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has approved funding for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender individuals, allocating 145.63 million baht ($3.7 million) in its 2025 budget. The initiative aims to support approximately 200,000 transgender people in the country.
Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak highlighted Thailand’s growing acceptance of the transgender and non-binary community. He noted that many individuals may choose to undergo gender-affirming care, including HRT, as part of their transition.
The funding is part of the National Health Security Board’s plan to expand healthcare services for transgender citizens. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) will also provide other medical and public health services to the transgender community, ensuring equal access to treatment, disease prevention, and rehabilitation.
Previously, transgender individuals in Thailand had to pay for gender-affirming care privately, leading some to seek hormone therapy without medical supervision. This posed significant health risks and created disparities in access to care.
Thailand is widely recognized as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, particularly for gender-affirming healthcare. The country recently strengthened its commitment to equality by legalizing same-sex marriage. However, challenges remain. A 2021 report by Human Rights Watch noted that transgender individuals in Thailand cannot update legal documents to reflect their gender identity and face barriers in areas such as healthcare, education, and employment.
The government’s latest initiative marks a step toward improving healthcare access for transgender citizens and addressing long-standing inequalities.
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