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ThaiHealth Kicks Off “the Global Health Training Program” Aiming to Enhance Organization Capability to Drive Global Health Agenda On February 4, 2025, The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has kicked off its Global Health Training Program 2025 (GHTP2025) jointly developed by the Partnership and International Relations Section and the Human Resources Unit. The program aims to enhance staff capacity and organization capabilities in global health, with a focus on equipping ThaiHealth to effectively engage with and contribute to the global health arena in a systematic and practical manner. The GHTP2025 program incorporates the INNE model for capacity development (comprising of building capacity at Individual, Node, Network, and Supportive Environment levels). It is specifically designed to build individual competencies through learning and hands-on experience in international affairs (Individual); empower their affiliated departments to engage effectively at the international level (Node); foster networks within and outside ThaiHealth (Network); and create an environment conducive to advancing global health learning (Environment). This program could also serve as a model for other agencies to integrate health knowledge with international engagement effectively through learning, hands-on practice, and expert networking. In initiating this policy, Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, M.D., CEO of ThaiHealth, reaffirms his commitment to building the international competencies of ThaiHealth personnel to advance and contribute to health promotion in line with the organization’s strategic goals while...
You are welcome to join PMAC 2025 SIDE MEETING Unboxing Innovations for NCDs Prevention (SMB206) 29 January 2025 | 09:00-12:30 Lotus Suite 4, FL. 22
Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024 Health Promotion: A Transformative Path Towards Sustainable Health and Well-being 4-8 November, 2024 at Thai Health Center, Bangkok, Thailand Background of the workshop Universal health coverage (UHC) ensures everyone has access to essential health services without financial burden, covering everything from prevention to palliative care. Achieving UHC requires strong, efficient, and equitable health systems, with each country tailoring its approach based on population needs and available resources. Health and well-being are also influenced by social, economic, political, environmental, and commercial factors. The 21st century faces interconnected global crises like pandemics, noncommunicable diseases, economic instability, and extreme weather, which exacerbate health inequities and hinder UHC progress. Health promotion is crucial for UHC, emphasizing equitable and sustainable development and addressing health determinants for substantial health gains. The Ottawa Charter (1986) outlines five key actions for effective health promotion: building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills, and re-orienting health services. The 4th Thai UHC Journey Workshop, themed “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path Towards Sustainable Health and Well-being,” will take place from November 4–8, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. Co-hosted by key health organizations in Thailand, the workshop aims to share experiences, build capacity for health promotion in low- and middle-income countries, and encourage practical applications based on participants’ contexts. Previous workshops 2021 Thai UHC Journey...
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JOINT STATEMENT Unmasking Tobacco Industries: Protecting Children to Secure Their Future On this World No Tobacco Day (31 May 2025), the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations (INHPF) reaffirms our commitment to protect children and young people from the escalating harms of tobacco and nicotine products. We join the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners in calling for urgent actions to “Unmask the Appeal” of tobacco and nicotine products. The use of nicotine products like vapes and nicotine pouches is skyrocketing. Vaping among school-aged children in some countries is alarmingly prevalent, even two to three times higher than cigarette smoking prevalence. The INHPF is particularly concerned by the aggressive tactics employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries using appealing product designs, alluring flavors, and youth-friendly marketing to create a false sense of safety that attracts adolescents to this lifelong harmful addiction. As the global landscape of tobacco and vape marketing evolves, so must our collective response. We call on governments, public institutions, and communities to take bold and coordinated actions to: Prioritize prevention across systems—align policies in health, education, digital safety, and trade to stop the tobacco and nicotine industries from targeting children and young people. Strengthen regulation and enforcement—pursue a complete ban of vapes, or ban sales to minors, ban flavours, and close regulatory loopholes. Comprehensive bans of...
The “Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024” was jointly organized by the MOPH, ThaiHealth, the NHSO, the NHCO, and health partners, taking place under the theme: “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path towards Sustainable Health and Well-being” between November 4-8, 2024, at the ThaiHealth Center, Bangkok. Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy CEO of ThaiHealth, joined a discussion on the topic “Highlighting Health Promotion Movements in Thailand: Key Examples and Lessons.” “Thailand has a population of around 69 million. The leading causes of mortality among Thais are non- communicable diseases (NCDs) — such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases — accounting for 77% of total deaths, approximately 400,000 fatalities per year. Given this alarming figure, the country bears a significant socio-economic burden, with annual loss due to NCDs reaching $6 billion USD, equivalent to 2.2% of its GDP.” The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) jointly prioritized NCDs prevention and control among their most pressing global health agenda. This model encompasses five major NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, and mental health conditions; four biological changes, such as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised lipids, and obesity; and five major risk factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution. This framework serves as a powerful tool...
The “Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024,” hosted by the MOPH, ThaiHealth, the NHSO, the NHCO, WHO-CCS EnLIGHT, IHPF and ThaiHealth Academy, centered on the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path towards Sustainable Health and Well-being. ” It was held from November 4-8, 2024, at the ThaiHealth Center, Bangkok. On November 7, 2024, the workshop presented Thailand’s Digital Health initiatives aiming to improve health system and advancing well-being. • The overview was presented by Dr. Pritaporn Kingkaew, head of Research Unit at the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP). She pointed out that “Thailand’s population exceeds 71.6 million, and the country is categorized as an upper-middle-income country with GNI per capita of $6,190 USD. Additionally, it is recognized as one of the countries rapidly achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), enabling equitable access to healthcare services for all. This has ultimately contributed to an increase in average life expectancy at birth of 79 years. Notwithstanding this, the rapidly growing elderly population – accounting for 15% of the total – poses a radical challenge for the country since it may exert wide-ranging impacts on the economy, society, and public services. Simultaneously, internet usage among Thais has continued to increase exponentially, reaching 88% of the total population, which underscores the country’s complete transition into the digital age. This transformation has presented opportunities to...
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Somsak Directs ThaiHealth to Raise Awareness on E-Cigarettes to Protect Children and Youth Reaffirming the government’s stance against e-cigarettes, Somsak has assigned ThaiHealth to coordinate efforts with relevant agencies to address existing gaps. He expresses concerns over the deadly risks of “pod k” and approves the Centre for Alcohol Studies’ plan to advance knowledge, reshape societal values, and promote alcohol-free events. On February 27, 2025, at the ThaiHealth Center, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health and First Deputy Chairman of ThaiHealth, stated at the second board meeting of the year that the board approved the Centre for Alcohol Studies’ plan, focusing on enhancing capacity among personnel and expert networks and developing knowledge to advance various policies. Key policies include developing and enforcing the laws controlling the alcohol production and distribution by small-scale manufacturers, assessing the policy impact of major alcohol producers, promoting responsible behavior among youth and women, implementing alcohol-free policies for government events, improving access to alcohol cessation services, and supporting research and knowledge creation to push for practical and effective solutions to alcohol-related issues. “Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government prioritizes the issue of e-cigarettes, which have been prevalent among children and youth. The Prime Minister has ordered relevant agencies to implement stringent measures within 30 days. The directive enforces a ban...
ThaiHealth and the Low Salt Thailand Network back the “salt tax” in 2025, urging sodium reduction in food products and advocating for the Excise Department’s sodium tax to cut salt intake, improve public health, and ease the healthcare burden. Food manufacturers are called on to reformulate lower-sodium products as Thais are found to consume twice the WHO’s recommended sodium level, with children at risk of early kidney disease. On March 3, 2025, Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, M.D., Deputy CEO of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), stated that daily sodium intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is no more than 2,000 mg. Nevertheless, Thais consume twice the recommended amount, approximately 3,636 mg per day, while Thai children consume 3,200 mg per day. Reducing sodium intake can help lessen the risk of serious health conditions. Currently, people tend to develop non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at younger ages. In fact, 10% of students in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) schools have been found to have high blood pressure, while 14% are overweight or obese, which may contribute to increasing the risk of NCDs, particularly kidney disease. This calls for urgent action to curb sodium consumption, increase daily fruit and vegetable intake to 400 grams, and promote 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. ThaiHealth, together with the Low Salt Thailand Network, the Ministry of...
PMAC 2025 Advocates for Healthy Active Meetings, Advancing Toward a Healthy OrganizationThe Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2025 (PMAC 2025) was held under the theme “Harnessing Technologies in an Age of AI to Build a Healthier World” from January 28 to February 2, 2025, at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok. The event was organized with the support and collaboration from key national and international organizations, including the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage, the Thai government, and international partners, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, USAID, JICA, the Rockefeller Foundation, and various UN agencies.At this event, the Partnership and International Relations Section of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) played a key role in co-organizing a side meeting and promoting “healthy active meetings” throughout the conference. Since 2019, the Partnership and International Relations Section and the Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Section have been co-organizing healthy meetings at PMAC, reinforcing ThaiHealth’s commitment to fostering healthier conference environments.Driven by the Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Section in collaboration with the Network of Fatless Belly Thais (NFBT) and multi-sectoral partners, the “healthy active meeting” concept encourages meetings that support participants’ physical and mental well-being while minimizing the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).Beyond PMAC, ThaiHealth has actively endorsed healthy meetings in WHO SEARO under Thailand’s name, leading to...