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Parliament's historic step: Mental health challenges and budget priorities in Thailand

23 Sept 02:46 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's parliament made history by officially discussing psychiatric issues for the first time, sparking public interest and hope among individuals with mental illnesses.
A Move Forward MP highlighted critical budget imbalances, revealing that mental health receives less funding than drug-related issues, despite a rise in mental health problems, a shortage of medical personnel, and inadequate treatment coverage.
Key challenges identified include long waiting times for appointments (3-4 months), insufficient consultation time with doctors, low salaries for public sector mental health professionals leading to a brain drain, and a lack of effective medicines on the National List of Essential Drugs.
Advocates and experts urge the government to allocate a fair budget, improve access to services, raise salaries for mental health personnel, and launch public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote understanding of mental illness.

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).