On 13 February 2026, a “Workshop to Advance the Development of Fang Hospital as the 31st DNA Collection Network Hospital” was held at Nam Fang Meeting Room, Fang Hospital, Chiang Mai Province. The workshop was organised through collaboration among nine agencies working to improve access to the national health insurance system for Thais with unresolved civil registration status.
The event was presided over by Dr Panjai Woharndee, Director of the Division of Forensic Science Service, Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice. Mr Ronakorn Jansar, Deputy Director for Administration at Fang Hospital, delivered remarks highlighting the initiative’s importance.
During the panel discussion, Mr Sumit Wophapho, Specialist in Legal Status and Rights at the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, stated: “Cases of Thais missing from the civil registration system, as well as individuals facing problems related to legal status and rights, are still found in many areas, particularly in the mountainous and marginalised areas of Chiang Mai. DNA testing to confirm biological relationships is often a crucial step in the nationality verification process. However, people have previously had to travel long distances to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital or wait for the Central Institute of Forensic Science’s annual DNA testing round, causing significant delays for those in urgent need.”
The development of Fang Hospital as a DNA Collection Network Hospital will greatly benefit people in Wiang Haeng, Chiang Dao, Phrao, Chai Prakan, Fang, Mae Ai, and nearby districts. It will provide easier access to DNA testing services, reduce travel expenses, and support more efficient progress in legal procedures.
This initiative is the result of cooperation among multiple sectors, including the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health), Human Settlement Foundation, World Vision Foundation of Thailand, and partners working on legal status issues. The goal is to expand DNA testing service networks to better cover remote areas in support of the Memorandum of Understanding on improving access to health insurance rights for Thais with unresolved civil registration status.
