Ministry of Public Health
- Thailand News
Public Health Ministry: 6.5 million Thais at risk of diabetes
As Thailand marks World Diabetes Day, the Public Health Ministry is ringing alarm bells over the diabetes crisis affecting more than 6.5 million Thais—roughly 10% of the population. Diabetes, often dubbed the “silent killer,” is ravaging communities nationwide, with over 90% of cases being type 2 diabetes, a largely preventable condition linked to lifestyle factors. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin emphasised…
- Thailand News
Public health vice minister’s sudden exit from Pheu Thai Party
Wan Yubamrung, the vice minister attached to the public health minister, announced his resignation today. He is set to leave the Pheu Thai Party next week. Wan, the son of outspoken veteran Pheu Thai Party member Chalerm Yubamrung, revealed his decision in an emotional Facebook Live post. “I had never thought about leaving the Pheu Thai Party, as long as…
- Thailand News
Thailand intensifies bird flu and anthrax monitoring
The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and the Department of Livestock Development are gearing up to tackle potential outbreaks of bird flu and anthrax following reports of cases abroad. Four measures have been implemented to monitor these diseases in humans. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control under MOPH, stated that there have been three cases of…
- Thailand News
Thailand to lower meth possession threshold to one tablet
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is pushing for regulatory changes that will classify anyone caught with more than one methamphetamine tablet as an offender, a shift from the current threshold of five tablets. This proposal aims to close a controversial loophole that has allowed individuals found with up to four tablets to be treated as addicts requiring rehabilitation instead of…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s heatwaves claims 30 lives so far
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about the dangers of Thailand’s heatwaves after 30 deaths were attributed to heatstroke this year. Medical professionals are advising the public to avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and to take precautions against a potential spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly among vulnerable groups. With the temperature soaring, Thailand is grappling with the…
- Thailand News
Thai government considers recriminalising cannabis
Thai Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew conveyed his apprehension about the general public’s disagreement with the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to criminalise cannabis once again. This apprehension arose following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent interview with France 24, a French state-owned news channel, where he revealed the government’s intent to control cannabis use, which has been decriminalised since 2022. In…
- Bangkok News
Puffing problems: Bangkok seminar on e-cigarettes perils
A pivotal seminar in Bangkok about the perils of e-cigarettes was attended by administrators from 437 educational institutions. The event was orchestrated by Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, the minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, commencing precisely at 9am. The seminar’s aim was to bring into sharp focus the rising concerns about e-cigarettes within Thailand’s societal fabric, especially regarding their easy…
- Thailand News
Thai health ministry assures data security amid breach rumours
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand, under the leadership of Cholnan Srikaew, assured the public of the safety and security of patient data in their system. This response was prompted by a rumour suggesting a breach that exposed the personal information of more than 2.2 million Thai citizens. The rumour originated from the Rural Doctors Society (RDS), which alleged that…
- Thailand News
Health alert: Your favourite grilled pork buffet could be killing you
The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) issued a dire warning to all Moo Kratha enthusiasts, exposing the perilous health risks lurking behind the seemingly innocent Thai barbeque-style grilled pork. Moo Kratha has been a Thai culinary delight but the MPH’s latest survey unveiled a dark side to this all-you-can-eat extravaganza, putting the health of many Thais at risk. A comprehensive…
- Thailand News
Adani eyes Landbridge project for connecting India to Japan and Korea
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with the chairman of the Indian company Adani Group during the World Economic Forum (WEF), held in Davos, Switzerland. Adani Group, known for their extensive investments in developing ports and airports, expressed a strong interest in the Landbridge project, aimed at connecting India’s transportation to Japan and Korea, said the Thai PM. “Adani Group’s investment…
- Thailand News
Thailand to tackle declining birth rate as national issue
Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, announced the government’s intent to prioritise the country’s dwindling birth rate as a national issue. In a response to Senator Ampol Chindawattana’s query regarding the falling birth rate, Cholnan explained that the challenge isn’t straightforward to address due to shifting priorities and socioeconomic values. The government, however, recognised the urgency of the situation, given…
- Thailand News
Thailand boosts traditional medicine to attract wellness tourism
Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry is elevating its endeavours to showcase traditional wellness and medicine as a tourist attraction, in a bid to boost the nation’s revenue. As voiced by Deputy Health Minister Santi Promphat yesterday, the country is renowned for its superior traditional medical knowledge and herbal plant utilisation. Santi was addressing the subject of traditional and alternative Thai medicine…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry finalises Cannabis-Hemp Act draft
The Cannabis-Hemp Act‘s first draft has been completed by the Public Health Ministry, and despite public speculation, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic. According to Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, the new legislation is a refined version of the initial draft, now streamlined from 94 to approximately 70 sections. The updated version addresses public concerns and closes loopholes…
- Cannabis News
Cannabis bill to be reviewed, focusing on medical use only
Cannabis will come under scrutiny as new Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew announced the formation of a committee to analyse a bill to regulate the plant. The primary objective, he insisted yesterday, is to ensure the use of cannabis remains strictly within the medical and health realm, prohibiting any recreational use. The cannabis and hemp bill, sponsored by the Bhumjaithai…
- Thailand News
Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites
Faced with the challenge of access to healthcare for underprivileged urban dwellers, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced its commitment to augment the universal healthcare scheme. The initiative, discussed at an academic conference in Udon Thani yesterday, aims to improve access and services for all, with particular attention to the impoverished populace in major cities. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s…
- Thailand News
Adapting DDC’s vaccination strategy to address increasing Covid-19 cases
Amidst concerns over a sudden surge in Covid-19 infections, the Ministry of Public Health is altering its vaccination strategy, aiming to handle the increasing numbers connected to the Songkran festivities. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) unveiled the alteration yesterday in response to the spiking rate of new Covid-19 cases experienced last week. According to DDC Director-General Dr Thares Krassanairawiwong,…
- Environment News
Online app helps monitor health of residents from air pollution
The Ministry of Public Health is launching an application to track the health of citizens in the Na Phra Lan tambon, located in the Chalerm Prakiat district of Saraburi, in response to rising concerns about air pollution and contamination caused by nearby limestone mines and cement manufacturing plants. Rungruang Kitpati, the chairman of the ministry’s Intelligence Unit, acknowledged the impact…
- News
People in Thailand spend too much time on their backsides, a new report reveals
People in Thailand spend too much time sitting on their backsides, a new study reveals. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) revealed that 76% of Thai people spend seven hours or more sitting down, underlining the need for the nation’s population to get off their arses and engage in more physical activity to improve their health and wellbeing. MOPH director-general…
- Entertainment
Ex-Minister of Health for Malaysia now a DJ
They say everyone is a DJ these days, and anyone can become one. Imagine a high-profile Thai person like Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s voice keeping you company on the radio during your morning commute. Does the idea of a Minister of Public Health as a radio disc jockey sound too far-fetched? Not in Malaysia it doesn’t, as the former…
- Environment News
Bangkok governor urges the capital to work remotely as pollution deteriorates
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the capital’s workers and car drivers to stay at home and work remotely as the pollution levels continue to deteriorate in the city. The 56 year old city chief advised residents to refrain from going to the office, wear masks outdoors, and if drivers must travel, use public transport. “Residents should work from home if…
- Thailand Travel
Thailand to reintroduce Covid-19 vaccine requirement for all visitors
Anyone wishing to gain entry into Thailand will soon be required to show proof of receiving at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine prior to their arrival. The measure will apply to all arrivals in the kingdom regardless of nationality. The Ministry of Public Health is planning to reintroduce the old entry requirement amid concerns that Chinese tourists will import…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand prepares measures to prevent influx of Covid-19 cases from China
As China prepares to open the floodgates on Sunday, Thai government officials are discussing measures to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks from the upcoming influx of Chinese tourists, given the prevalence of the virus in the People’s Republic of China at present. The virus spread rapidly in China after Beijing dropped three-year-long stringent Covid measures last month. Then, Beijing dropped mandatory quarantine…
- Health
Medical tourism the new muse for Thai government
The Thai government seems to flutter from demographic to demographic in search of a tourism get-rich-quick scheme. Now, the Ministry of Public Health has announced that medical tourism is the magic amulet that will rake in billions as Thailand recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry has created a new “Health for Wealth” campaign, which is banking on people in…
- Covid-19 News
Masks recommended in crowds amid Covid increase
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Covid-19 pandemic it’s that people just absolutely love wearing masks. They can’t wait to start wearing them when outbreaks occur, and they look forward to wearing them regularly for the foreseeable future. For those of you who love wearing masks, the Ministry of Public Health advised yesterday that, in crowded places, wearing…
- Cannabis News
What are they smoking? More tweaks to cannabis rules
Small changes to the rules on the sale and use of cannabis have been made in the face of intense lobbying from vested interests about recreational marijuana use. In June, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise the use of cannabis, while introducing legal controls including banning sales to people under the age of 20. Cannabis liberalisation was…
- Cannabis News
Cannabis flower bud now a controlled substance with restrictions
The walk-backs have begun for the unrestricted cannabis swell in Thailand. In a new edict coming into effect today, the Ministry of Public Health has tightened the rules on who can grow and sell cannabis, and where. The new edict, already published in the Royal Gazette making it official, now supersedes the original announcement legalising and decriminalising cannabis on June…
- Covid-19 News
Thai physician raises concerns over Omicron mutations as cases rise
One of Thailand’s top respiratory experts is urging the nation to be on guard for Omicron subvariants of the Covid-19 virus after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised concerns about mutations of the disease. The WHO last week raised concerns about the public health implications of the rise of some Omicron variants, specifically XBB and its sublineages (indicated as XBB*),…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand ends emergency Covid vaccine procurement
The winding down of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit a new milestone as the emergency use procurement of vaccines has now ended. The Ministry of Public Health announced that it has officially cancelled its plans to obtain more vaccines against the coronavirus. The end of the programme was officially published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday and was put into…
- Thailand News
PM 2.5 pollution is on the rise in Thailand, warns health official
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 pollution is on the rise in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, warns Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health Dr Opas Karnkawinpong. PM 2.5 particulates are tiny dust particles so small that thousands of them can fit into one full stop. Inhaling PM 2.5 is detrimental to human health as the minuscule particles travel deep into…
- Covid-19 News
Covid vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years old
Children between the ages of six months and four years old can now get a Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Public Health launched a new campaign to vaccinate young children using the Pfizer vaccine at a significantly lower dosage. The same vaccine has been used in the United States for young children in the same age range. The Thai Khu…
