CHIANG RAI – On August 9, 2026, a heated debate sparked at the Ban Farm Sampanthakit community hall in Chiang Rai. Residents and health officials met to choose a new Village Health Volunteer (VHV) to fill a recent vacancy. However, a sharp disagreement quickly emerged about who actually gets to vote.
The core issue is whether the whole village should vote or just the specific neighborhood involved. Before the official voting began, officials explained the rules and opened the floor for discussion. The exchange highlighted a growing divide between everyday villagers and local health committee members.
Key Takeaways
- Villagers in Ban Farm Sampanthakit want a village-wide secret ballot to choose new health volunteers.
- The local VHV committee prefers a zone-specific selection to ensure volunteers know their exact patients.
- Health officials confirm both methods are valid, provided the selection process remains completely transparent.
The Case for a Broader Vote
Chayakorn Nampapiwat, the village headman for Moo 1, strongly supported a village-wide secret ballot. He explained that this method prevents arguments and stops people from simply picking their friends. The village successfully used this exact method three times since 2025.
Chayakorn believes a broader vote ensures true transparency for everyone involved in the community. “A secret ballot means no one argues over raised hands,” he noted during the meeting. He added that letting the whole village vote gives them the health leader they truly want. The village committee completely backed his stance on this open election process.
On the other side, the Rim Kok VHV committee argued for a much narrower approach. Chanisikan Fankham, the VHV president, said volunteers should come from the specific area they serve. The vacant position only covers about 21 households in the village. She believes someone from that exact zone knows the local patients best.
A local volunteer easily recognizes residents with diabetes or bedridden patients, Chanisikan explained to the crowd. While the committee allowed village-wide votes before, they now want to follow the standard local consensus. She stressed that health volunteers work through community spirit and should follow shared guidelines. She simply wants leaders to consult the committee early to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Finding a Middle Ground
Public health officials eventually weighed in to help calm the growing tension in the room. Narong Krueakham, an assistant district health officer, clarified the 2011 public health guidelines. He stated the rules are flexible and focus mainly on active community participation. “You can do it either way, depending on the area,” Narong explained to the residents.
Narong emphasized that a transparent process is the most important factor in the election. Anyone chosen must still pass training and background checks before officially starting the job. Local villager Charoenchai Somjai agreed with the open vote but urged leaders to compromise. He warned that arguing in community chat groups hurts the village’s overall public image.
Despite the debate, the village committee moved forward with their planned secret ballot. Residents cast their votes between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM under strict supervision. A dedicated election committee and local security teams closely monitored the entire process. Local health representatives also stayed to observe the peaceful voting event.
By the end of the afternoon, the village successfully chose their new health volunteer. The winner will now move on to the official health department screening and training process. Once they pass the required steps, they will officially begin serving their community.
