Prior to the 1997 economic crisis in the country, Government budget allocations
to public health grew moderately. During the period 1992–1996, health
expenditure accounted for 5.4%, 5.8%, 6.3%, 6.5% and 6.7% of the total
government budget for those years, respectively. From 1977 to 1992, health
expenditure, as a percentage of the GDP, expanded from 3.4% to 5.9%.
Total health expenditure rose, in real terms, from 853 baht per person in 1977
to 2689 baht in 1992.
These trends demonstrate an increasing commitment of the Government to
spending on health services. Figures in 1998, the last year where such statistics
were available, showed that Government spending for health accounted for
approximately 6% of the total Government budget and the total health expenditure
was estimated at 4% of GDP.