Thailand’s herbal market worth skyrockets to 90,000 billion baht

Minister of Health Santi Prompat highlighted the significant growth in the market for Thai massage and food as a form of soft power for the nation. He also emphasized the rising value of herbal consumption, which has increased to 90,000 billion baht, making Thailand the third highest in Asia. This occurred during a special assembly and policy communication meeting at the Richmond Hotel yesterday.

Thailand’s unique wisdom in traditional Thai medicine and herbs can drive health tourism by blending well with modern medicine, clearly driving health economy policies. This was evident during the Covid-19 situation, as people became more interested in health, Thai food, and herbs.

This is partly due to the efforts of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine in driving the health economy, such as promoting Thai massage for job creation and profession, Thai food for health, herbal products, and health care in wellness communities, reported KhaoSod.

Santi revealed the government has a policy to support the creation of creativity, or soft power in the country.

“Thai massage is a Thai identity known to many countries. In the past, the Ministry of Public Health has given importance to development to increase confidence, thus producing personnel to provide Thai massage services for health and receiving certification from more than 30,000 people, both in the public and private sectors.

“Thai food is another soft power that the government promotes to continuously stimulate the economy. Thailand has income from food tourism up to 20% of total tourism income. In the past three years, it was found that the income from food and beverages of foreign tourists has a tendency to increase by an average of 5.74%.

“In December 2023, there will be a Kick-off event for health tourism and health food in Phetchabun Province.”

Dr Tweesilp Visanuyothin, acting Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said that the five-year (2023-2027) operational plan has three important issues, including:

1. Public confidence increases when sick. The public takes care of their health with herbal medicine by 10%.

2. Excellent service. The public chooses to use Thai traditional and alternative medicine when they are sick, increasing by 10%.

3. Wisdom creates value. The ranking of the value of herbal consumption in the country increases to 90,000 billion baht (US$ 2,579,425,200) and is the top 3 in Asia.

In 2023, the value was 56,994 billion baht (US$ 1,634,002,250) and is ranked 4 in Asia, following China, Japan, and South Korea.