However, a large number of minority people, especially hill tribes, still
cannot benefit from this government-subsidized health insurance program because they
do not have Thai citizenship. In 2000 the Ministry of the Interior estimated that about
500,000 persons of hill tribe minorities did not have Thai citizenship (Huguet &
Punpuing, 2005). A survey reported that 58 percent of highland villages were not
recognized officially during the period from 1985 to 1988 (Aguettant, 1996:58). Nonregistered
villages are not qualified for government services such as schools, roads and
health facilities. Similarly, undocumented foreign workers cannot receive health
insurance, although they can purchase health insurance when they register for work
permits with the Ministry of Labor. As of 2000, the health insurance for such case cost
1,700 baht per worker per year (Martin, 2004:19).