Dr Amphon Jindawatana, were the primary drivers behind the two most important health
sector reforms in the nation’s history in the National Health Security Act and the National
Health Act, each of which resulted in the creation of major new institutions. And each
drew on ties to different political administrations to help achieve their ends. Dr Sanguan
was able to use his relationship with Thai Rak Thai Party’s Health Policy Chief, Dr
Surapong Suebwonglee, with whom he had ties dating back to the 1970s, to bring his
proposal for a universal health care programme to the attention of party leader Thaksin.
And while Dr Amphon had begun initial work on a participatory health care assembly
under the Chuan Leekpai government in the late 1990s, it was eventually passed in 2007
under the junta-appointed Surayud Chulanont government.