Abstract
During the past two decades health research has contributed substantially to health system development in Thailand. Health system has been increased its system complexity and thus increases demand for
health research for further development. This paper is aimed to explore the current health research system
in Thailand and its capacity to cope with the increasing demand. Literature review and in-depth interview of key informants were used for data collection. In addition, a series of brain-storming meetings and
a synthesis workshop were organized to help analysis and to draw recommendations for future development.
It was found that the national health research system was facing many problems including lack of
leadership, limited health research resources both research budget and health researchers with inefficient
use. Strengths of the system which could be a foundation for future development included an establishment of autonomous research funding agencies which created a productive working environment for
health researchers to work effectively and a new working model called “triangle that moves the mountain” which involved stakeholders and civic groups in the research management process which could
promote research utilization and health system change based on knowledge. In addition, capacity building has been shifted from a conventional formal training model to on the job training under mentorship of
senior health researchers.
It is recommended that capacity building of health researchers is urgently needed and this has to be
done on the job-training basis. Mobilization of additional research budget is needed not only for supporting more research studies required for on-going health system reforms but also for capacity building. A
possible solution for mobilizing addition research budget is through making research more responsive to
demand of other public organizations. Using earmarked budget, 1 percent of total health budget, by enactment of the National Health Research Bill could be a long term solution and needs a strong political
support. Research management system needs to be strengthened through competent research managers.
Increasing management capacity of these research managers needs a special training programme and
research management tools. Finally, strengthening leadership of national health research system needs a
structural reform. However, a temporary solution is to use an existing health research funding agency to
perform this leading function with an acceptance of other health research funding agencies
