Even though women in other developing countries in East Asia and Pacific live now longer than
Thai women, Thailand’s maternal mortality rate is still far lower than that of other developing
countries in East Asia and Pacific.
In 2000, Thailand’s maternal mortality rate was 63 deaths per 100,000 live births, while it
was 130 deaths per 100,000 live births in other developing countries in East Asia and
Pacific. Hence, in 2000, Thailand’s maternal mortality rate was less than half that of
other developing countries in East Asia and Pacific.
In 2008 (which is the latest available data), Thailand’s maternal mortality rate was 48
deaths per 100,000 live births, while it was 89 deaths per 100,000 live births in other
developing countries in East Asia and Pacific. Hence, in 2008, Thailand’s maternal
mortality rate was more than half that of other developing countries in East Asia and
Pacific.
In other words, despite progress in reducing maternal mortality in both Thailand and other
developing countries in East Asia and Pacific, the later have made more progress in absolute as
well as in relative terms.
In any case, one of the main reasons for why maternal mortality has been lowered and women’s
life expectancy has gone up in Thailand is because of increased attention paid to women’s health.
For example, Thailand’s National Health Development Plans have been paying particular
attention ensuring good health care for women. “Maternal and child health has been important
and has continually been declared as a top priority since the 3rd National Health Development
Plan (NHDP 1972-1976) and continues to be so in the present plan (9th NHDP, 2002-2006),
which has set ambitious targets for maternal, newborn and child health.