OBJECTIVE：To analyze the application of health technology as sessment（HTA）for the selection of essential medicine in Thailand ，and to provide reference for optimizing the selection system of essential medicine in China. METHODS ：By retrieving related literatures and official websites ，the situation （selection mode ，institution and HTA institution ），process（main selection process of selection for essential medcine ，HTA process ） and supporting measures （HTA guideline ，HTA research database，standard cost list ）in the selection of essential medicine in Thailand were analyzed comprehensively. Suggestions to essential medicine selection in China were put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS ：The current selection model of essential medicines in Thailand is based on the application of stakeholders （pharmaceutical manufacturers ，healthcare providers ，patients or patient organizations ，etc.）through expert selection combined with HTA ，which is charged by essential medicine list subcommittee. The Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Center of its health economics working group is responsible for the specific work of essential medicine HTA. Its main process include the submission of applications by pharmaceutical manufacturers ， screening by essential medicine list committee ，expert selection ，and the coordination working group of essential medicine list to form the proposed list ，which is then examined and approved by the subcommittee ，minister of Health and National Drug System Development Committee ；finally the list was released. The high-price but necessary drugs are selected by the subcommittee and then the priority is assessed by the health economics working group. Non-profit organization or other interested organizations conduct HTA ；health economics working group and external audit experts evaluate the research quality ，and the health economics working group forms policy recommendations ； NLEMcommittee will carry out list access or price negotiation which then were considered by the subcommittee. In HTA supporting measures of Thailand ， HTA guidelines include HTA methodology guidelines （ensuring high quality economic evaluation and prom oting standardization of research fr amework）and HTA process guidelines （HTA is strictly regulated from transparency，accountability，inclusiveness，timeliness，quality，consistency，competitiveness）. HTA database include 4 kinds of economic evaluation researches （cost minimization analysis ，cost-benefit analysis ，cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analysis），result evaluation ，quantitative research of life quality ，which supplied reference for research staff. The standard cost list makes the economical evaluation process more accurate and convenient. The selection of essential medicine in China can refer to the relevant experience of Thailand ，gradually establish health technology assessment system ，strengthen international cooperation and personnel training ；introduce the concept of priority ，and reasonably allocate evaluation resources ；formulate HTA guidelines ， improve supporting measures ；emphasize the participation of stakeholders to ensure the standard and transparent selection process ， so as to continuously improve corresponding selection system in China from aspects of the system construction ，resource allocation，supporting measures ，program optimization ，etc.