Thailand's Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan took a lead from the prime minister and announced she supported making it easier for foreign doctors to work in Thailand.

The Minister said the ministry would propose an amendment of the medical law in Thailand, which requires doctors to do a Thai-language examination for their medical practice license. It should be permissible for doctors to take the examination in English, Minister Sudarat said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra supported the idea in his weekly radio talk on Saturday, saying that allowing foreign doctors to work in health care services would only help make Thailand a regional medical hub in Asia.

Medical Council president Somsak Lohlekha, however, did not think it was necessary. Many Thai doctors spoke fluent English, he said.

There is no shortage of doctors capable of treating foreigners in Thailand, as foreign patients are mostly catered for by private hospitals. However, there was still a shortage of Thai doctors in rural areas, Somsak said.