There is a growing trend in developing countries to investigate ways of improving ambulance services as a mechanism for reducing traffic- related injuries and deaths. This article describes efforts by a researcher in examining the state of emergency medical services in Thailand. Both the traffic-related dangers and the emergency medical services (EMS) of Thailand are typical of those in many developing countries. Driving unbelted and riding on motorcycles without a helmet is common in Thailand, and access to reliable emergency medical services is rare, especially in provincial areas. Focus of this research was on Chiang Mai, a province in northern Thailand where meagerly-funded private foundations have traditionally been the only suppliers of these services. It was discovered that the province's health department has begun a new system for training and dispatching emergency medical units. While funding is far from adequate, the EMS system has improved, and this is in step with a national trend. Thailand's national government has urged local governments to implement better EMS systems. A national system of pre-hospital care fully established by 2006 is in the works, although progress has been slow due to lack of funding both on the national and local levels.
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