The relatively equitable distribution of MCH service coverage in Thailand - between rich and poor, urban and rural - can be explained by government commitment to investment in health infrastructure and expansion of health insurance coverage over the past three decades.24 The country's well functioning primary health-care service is facilitated by the government's pro-rural policy of mandatory public service by all medical, pharmacist, dentist and nurse graduates at the district level, as well as by other paramedics at subdistrict levels.17 The geographic coverage of district hospitals and subdistrict health centres has continued to expand over the past three decades.