Thailand

Key Results in 2022-2023

HIV self-testing is included in the national Universal Health Coverage mechanism with a reduced price of US$ 2-3 per testing kit.
The number of people accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services increased by 38% between 2021-2023.
Through various youth platforms access to health information and services was improved, reaching more than 1.3 million young people across the country.
A total of US$ 72 million was mobilized from the Global Fund for the HIV response.

Joint Programme Results

Thailand continued to take important steps in scaling up facility- and community-led HIV services and education for vulnerable and key populations with notable support from the Joint Programme. The Government included HIV self-testing in the national Universal Health Coverage mechanism and reduced the cost of one testing kit from US$ 15-20 to US$ 2-3, thus ensuring affordability and increased demand among people at higher risk of HIV infection.

Strategic use of routine programme data helped improve PrEP services in the country. Over 26 619 people accessed PrEP through 214 government facilities and 14 community-led programmes by the end of 2023—a 58% increase from 2021 (UNAIDS Secretariat). In addition, a pilot programme aimed at improving early HIV diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation increased same-day treatment initiation from 7% in 2021 to 24% in 2023 in 16 provinces; and helped to raise the median CD4 count at diagnosis (UNAIDS Secretariat).

To address the increasing number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country, STI services in 36 provinces were assessed; and 170 health care providers received trainings and further onsite support. In addition, prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis services further improved following the implementation of rapid testing and treatment protocols for pregnant women at high risk of infection; provincial and regional data management initiatives; and appointment of specialist physicians to lead congenital syphilis programmes (WHO).

The 2023 assessment of digital health services for young people in Thailand revealed insufficient targeted strategies for this group. As a result, youth platforms, such as Teen club and LoveCareStation, including online live counselling and a function which allows young people to schedule appointments with Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) services in 540 hospitals, increased access to health information and services for more than 1.3 million young people across the country (UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO, WHO). As part of the Empowering Our Youth project, youth influencers created TikTok videos promoting condom use among young people aged 15-19 years with high risk of HIV infection. These videos generated 800 000 views (UNFPA).

Thailand introduced the first national certification curriculum for community health workers serving people living with HIV. Since its launch, 88 community health workers completed the 90-minute course which was developed in collaboration with Mahidol University and the Thai Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (TNP+). Besides, 16 out of the 57 networks of people living with HIV obtained accreditation and registration from the National Health Security Office making them eligible for direct reimbursement for their services from the Universal Health Coverage Scheme. Reimbursement for community-led health services for people living with HIV increased to 30% from US$17 to US$23 per person for 2025 to ensure financial sustainability and resilience of these networks, thanks to persistent advocacy by the Joint Programme (UNAIDS Secretariat).

To advance the protection of human rights and remove service barriers among key populations, 150 law enforcement officers had orientation on human rights, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression while 40 mid-level correctional officers received training on the newly developed standard operating procedures for managing transgender prisoners, which is aligned with global standards. These actions improved the well-being of LGBTI prisoners and reduced discrimination and arrests of people from the LGBTI community (UNDP).

The latest National AIDS Spending Assessment showed a 57% increase in total expenditure for enabling environment including HIV-related human rights and stigma and discrimination reduction programmes—from USD$1.70 million in 2022 to USD$2.67 in 2023 million. Additionally, US$ 3 million was mobilized from the Global Fund for implementing these programmes in the 2024-2026 period following intense advocacy and technical support from the Joint Programme. A total of US$ 69 million was further raised from the Global Fund for tuberculosis and HIV response with a focus on young people, migrants and people who use drugs (UNAIDS Secretariat).