Bangkok, October 15 (AseanAll) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas on October 15,2026 before joining him at a ceremony marking $212 million in ADB financing for a project to upgrade five public hospitals and improve access to specialist medical care for about 14 million people outside Bangkok.
“Where a person lives should not determine the quality of care they receive,” said Mr. Kanda. “This investment will bring specialist treatment closer to millions of people and spare more families the burden of long journeys when someone is seriously ill.”
The hospitals project will expand cancer, cardiac, surgical, and trauma services across five health regions. It will establish new specialist treatment facilities at four public hospitals and improve facilities at a fifth, reducing the need for patients to travel to Bangkok for advanced medical care.
The hospitals are located in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, and Nakhon Ratchasima. The investment will also strengthen digital health services, train medical professionals, and improve access for people with disabilities. New facilities will be designed to better withstand flooding and extreme weather while reducing energy and water consumption.
This is ADB’s first loan to the Thai government in the health sector, building on earlier support for the country’s COVID-19 response and regional health initiatives. ADB is a longstanding partner of Thailand and ASEAN. As the region’s main bank, ADB supports investments that strengthen resilience and advance sustainable development across Southeast Asia.
The total investment cost for the project is $302.21 million. Besides ADB financing, it includes $90.30 million in government financing. A separate $2 million technical assistance grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will support hospital improvements and health workforce development.
During their meeting, Mr. Kanda expressed sympathy for people affected by recent flooding in Bangkok and welcomed Thailand’s decision to advance preparations for a major project to reduce flood and drought risks along the Chao Phraya River.
Mr. Kanda highlighted ADB’s expanding private sector work in Thailand, including investments in renewable energy, battery storage, and energy-efficient digital infrastructure.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
