On January 9, 2024, Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Health Promotion Support Fund Committee, signed the board committee’s resolution No. 1/2024 regarding the appointment of Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon as the Chief Executive Officer of Thai Health Promotion Foundation in place of Dr. Supreda Adulyanon, whose term has concluded. Dr. Pongthep is one of Thailand’s skilled epidemiologist. He attained his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. Additionally, he underwent training in Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology) through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) under the Ministry of Public Health and obtained a certificate in Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology) from the Medical Council of Thailand. He was also awarded the John Snow Award, an international award in the field of epidemiology, by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) in the United States of America in 1998 for his investigation into food poisoning from Botulinum toxin in canned bamboo shoots in Nan Province. In addition, he was given the Outstanding Epidemiologist Physician Award for his contributions to epidemiological studies in public health by the Ministry of Public Health in 2009. Then, he was recognized as an outstanding alumnus, specifically dedicated physicians, by the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital in 2018. Finally, he received the Distinguished Civil Servant Award of Nan in 2020. Regarding his...

“Happy Songkran Festival and Thai New Year!   ThaiHealth extends warm wishes to you and your family for a year filled with complete physical, mental, and social well-being, as health encompasses more than just the absence of disease or infirmity. Have a happy and healthy year ahead!” Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, CEO, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).

Global citizens are now facing a mental health crisis, with a quarter of the global population – over 450 million people – experiencing mental health issues with tremendous impacts on their daily lives Information from the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health suggests that mental health and psychiatric issues are common health issues. It is estimated that a quarter of the world’s population, specifically approximately 450 million individuals, experience psychiatric issues at a certain point in their lives. These mental health issues have huge impacts on their abilities to function and co-exist in society, as well as affect their quality of live. In Thailand, it has been found that adolescents, working-age adults, and the elderly are highly prone to mental health issues. However, in the present day, there exist a variety of health risk factors which can impact individuals’ health behavior and environment such as the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and digital disruption affecting their ways of life and attitudes. Inevitable challenges resulting from these factors are stress, anxiety, and depression. ThaiHealth and its efforts to promote mental health among Thai people… Mental health refers to a state of mental well-being in which individuals can manage or control their emotions to prevent frustration or intrapsychic conflicts and can adapt to society and the environment with happiness. Alternatively, it entails...