A Collaboration Between World Vision Thailand and Dreamlopments Foundation to Promote Universal Health Coverage in Thailand
In 2025, migration continues to be a key factor shaping Thailand’s social, demographic, and economic development. With its central location in Southeast Asia, Thailand has become a major destination for migrant workers, particularly from neighbouring countries, driven by a stable economy, an ageing population, and labour demands across various sectors.
According to the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour (April 2025), there are over 4.15 million migrant workers in Thailand, more than 1 million of whom are undocumented. Additionally, there are an estimated 300,000–400,000 migrant children living in the country. Although the Thai government has health policies for migrant populations, access to services remains limited, especially for undocumented individuals who often live in unhygienic conditions and lack access to basic healthcare. Migrant women, in particular, face barriers to sexual and reproductive health services, contributing to higher maternal mortality rates.
Alternative Health Insurance for Equity
Since its founding in 2017, Dreamlopments Foundation has worked to close the gap in Thailand’s universal health coverage system through The Migrant Fund or M-FUND project, a non-profit alternative health access fund aiming to expand access to quality healthcare for undocumented migrants, stateless individuals, and cross-border communities who are excluded from existing public or private insurance schemes.
What sets M-FUND apart from conventional health insurance is its focus on public benefit over profit, and its people-centred service design. The programme operates in collaboration with Ministry of Public Health and local networks to ensure inclusive and sustainable health coverage for vulnerable groups.
M-FUND 5.0: A Small Insurance with Big Impact
Since April 2024, M-FUND has launched its “Plan 5.0,” which covers major health issues and comprehensive health care. Members can access outpatient services up to 5,000 baht and inpatient services up to 45,000 baht per person per year. Contribution plans include Healthy Plan: 130 baht/month; School Plan: 100 baht/month (for children in Migrant Learning Centres, or MLCs); Special Group Plans: 230 baht/month for the elderly, and 330 baht/month for pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. Special group members are required to refer two new healthy members to help expand access to healthcare.
M-FUND uses the “medical cost-to-contribution ratio” to assess sustainability. Initially, the average ratio was 4.0—meaning medical costs were four times higher than contributions. By 2024, the ratio dropped to 1.05, indicating that contributions covered 95% of medical expenses. From January to April 2025, the ratio further improved to 0.95, meaning contributions exceeded medical costs by 5%. This reflects efficient management and long-term sustainability.
Currently, M-FUND has field staff in eight border provinces: Tak, Kanchanaburi, Sa Kaeo, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Trat, Mae Hong Son, and Chiang Mai. It also offers services nationwide through online registration in provinces like Bangkok, Lampang, Phuket, Samut Sakhon, and Surat Thani. As of March 2025, M-FUND had over 93,000 registered members, provided more than 142,000 outpatient visits, and over 19,000 inpatient treatments. It also partners with over 250 hospitals nationwide, reflecting the programme’s growth and trust within Thailand’s health system.
Despite Thailand’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), undocumented migrants still face barriers to accessing healthcare, highlighting vulnerabilities in the current system. M-FUND addresses this gap through a “micro-protection” model rooted in “value-based health care”, prioritising health outcomes over medical costs. The future of healthcare should focus on broader and more equitable access, integrated and coordinated care, effective use of digital technology, and empowering community participation, especially through volunteer networks like Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) and Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs).
M-FUND: A Mission for Eveyone, Everywhere
M-FUND continues to expand nationwide and build partnerships with new hospitals in Thailand and neighbouring countries to enhance healthcare access. Key initiatives include:
· Cross-Border Collaboration: M-FUND has expanded partnerships in Cambodia, Myanmar. In Tak Province, a stakeholder meeting held in February 2025 brought together 10 CBOs and CSOs, including Backpack Health Workers, Four River Acts, the Karen Refugee Committee Education Entity, the Karen Department of Health and Welfare, and the Burma Medical Association.
· Capacity Building for Field Staff and Volunteers: World Vision Thailand and the Foundation for Action on Inclusion Rights (FAIR), a sub-recipient under the “Stop TB and AIDS through RRTTPR year 2024–2026” project, are jointly promoting legal and human rights education for Dreamlopments’ field staff and volunteers in Sa Kaeo, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi, and border areas with Cambodia and Myanmar. The training integrates human rights, anti-stigma, and basic legal knowledge to promote non-discriminatory access to healthcare and strengthen the role of Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs).
· 2025 Collaboration Plan: World Vision Thailand and Dreamlopments will expand access to M-FUND’s services in the target areas without discrimination such as Surat Thani, Phang-nga, Ranong, and potentially Bangkok. Training will focus on M-FUND systems and select capable volunteers to become Community Relays (CRs), local support networks that promote registration, renewals, and service delivery for M-FUND members nationwide.
World Vision’s Role in Advancing M-FUND to the Community Level
Currently, M-FUND is operated by Dreamlopments Foundation with support from the Global Fund through World Vision Foundation of Thailand as the principal recipient. This support is part of the “Stop TB and AIDS through RRTTPR year 2024–2026 (STAR 4)” project, upports strategic efforts to human rights, gender equity, and community system strengthening. World Vision Thailand’s role goes beyond only financial support, but also promotes community-centred approaches, building field staff capacity, and fostering partnerships at both local and national levels.
World Vision Thailand’s contribution is vital in driving M-FUND to reach the most vulnerable groups in society and serves as a powerful force behind the programme’s success. Ultimately, M-FUND is not just a health protection initiative—it is a transformative tool helping Thailand move toward a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system that leaves no one behind.
