Thai Indigenous Medicine Law: Protection and Promotion of Indigenous Medicine Wisdom in Community

Abstract

Thai people health in community relies on Thai indigenous medicine.  When people in community have sickness, Thai indigenous medicine, which relates to Thai traditions and beliefs, is considered to be self-reliant health care. The remaining Thai indigenous medicine in local communities throughout the country is considered as conservation of Thai traditional medical knowledge to continue existing in Thai society.

                According to Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom. Act, B.E. 2542, which is a law to protect and promote Thai traditional medical knowledge, the Department of Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine is the main unit of the said mission. Main goals of the department are Protection and promotion of traditional Thai medicine wisdom for self-care and treatment of one's own family, community and nation. The main goals include knowledge apply to primary health care work and public health facilities and also promote research and development of herbal medicines for the national health system which will lead to a stable and sustainable health system. This Act specifies roles and duties in relation to the protection and promotion of traditional Thai medicine and herbal wisdom. Apart from that, administrative and academic responsibility of the Committee on Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Knowledge about Thai traditional medicine, Thai traditional medicine texts, and Thai herbs are included in those specific roles.   

               Folk healer is certified to promote and support the use of Thai indigenous medicine wisdom. Praising good indigenous medicine expert or folk healer will empower and raise potential of the Thai indigenous medical personnel to be accepted and eventually leads to high efficiency and safety health care for people in the community.