Facial scan to prevent health fund fraudListen to this articleThe National Health Security Office (NHSO) will roll out facial scan verification on Monday as part of an upgrade to the Universal Health Coverage scheme, with the goal of preventing fraud. Deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said the NHSO will use facial recognition technology to verify requests from patients seeking healthcare services at medical and dental clinics, pharmacies, physiotherapy clinics, medical technology clinics and Thai traditional medicine clinics. The NHSO says 3,551 facilities have completed system reactivation comprising 2,120 pharmacies, 887 dental clinics, 381 medical clinics and 163 physiotherapy clinics. NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammatacharee said facial scan verification is mandatory and directly linked to reimbursement. "If identity verification through facial scanning is not completed, the system cannot process payment," he said, adding the measure is essential to prevent the misuse of public funds.

Source: Bangkok Post January 11, 2026 22:29 UTC