Ministry of Public Health
- Thailand News
Toxic air: Thailand considers work from home nationwide
The Ministry of Public Health is set to recommend a nationwide work from home directive next week after PM2.5 ultrafine dust pollution surpassed safe thresholds in nearly every province yesterday, January 21, with Greater Bangkok experiencing the highest levels. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that a meeting would be held today to formulate strategies to address the escalating pollution…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s massage therapist shortage outlined by Health Ministry
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has unveiled plans to train 7,000 new massage therapists, addressing a significant workforce shortage in an industry worth 200 billion baht annually. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced the initiative yesterday, December 22, emphasising the goal of elevating Thai traditional massage as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medicine. The programme will focus on developing specialists who…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s new ‘Health Stations’ promise quick, hassle-free care
Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Debuting at the Charoenchai Housing Cooperative Community in Bangkok, these futuristic kiosks let residents consult doctors via video calls for 42 medical conditions, dramatically cutting waiting times and hospital…
- 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
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
Pro-cannabis groups to protest over govt’s narcotic reclassification
Pro-cannabis groups are ramping up their efforts to resist the Thai government’s intent to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic drug, threatening to stage a protest outside the Ministry of Public Health. The demonstration will continue until the ministry can provide concrete scientific evidence backing its proposition. On the other hand, certain factions of farmers, who have been legally cultivating cannabis…
- 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…
- 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
Thailand’s health ministry targets birth rate boost with new fertility strategies
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is set to introduce strategies designed to encourage artificial insemination and support those who wish to become parents, encompassing the LGBTQ community as well. The drive is part of an initiative to increase the country’s birth rate. During a meeting with Jos Vandelaer, Thailand’s World Health Organisation representative, at Nakhonping Hospital, the Minister, Cholnan Srikaew,…
- 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
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…
- Phuket News
Phuket launches health certification for hotels to boost tourists’ confidence
The Department of Medical Sciences, a part of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, has introduced a certification programme that awards hotels for their effective prevention of Legionnaires disease and Norovirus. This initiative is part of the broader Safety Phuket Island Sandbox scheme, aimed at bolstering tourist confidence in visiting Phuket and the rest of the country. The unveiling of this…
- 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…
- 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,…
- Thailand News
Injuries increased by 81% during Songkran, road fatalities decreased
Hospital admissions during the Songkran Festival spiked by 81% due to road accidents A significant 81% rise in hospital admissions has been reported due to an alarming 19% increase in the number of people injured in road accidents during the Songkran Festival, as stated by the Ministry of Public Health. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, expressed his concern…
- 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…
- 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…
- Cannabis News
Cannabis in Thailand: A Guide for Tourists
Thailand’s crazy cannabis laws can be difficult to navigate so the Ministry of Public Health has issued a guide titled “10 Things Tourists Need to Know About Cannabis in Thailand” to help budding cannabis tourists stay out of trouble. Since the marijuana plant (“Gancha” in Thai language) was removed from Thailand’s list of Category 5 Narcotics on June 9 this…
- 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…
- 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…
- Health
World could learn from Thailand’s family planning approach, says US healthcare director
The director of a leading healthcare institution in the United States reckons the world could learn a thing or two from Thailand when it comes to family planning. Jose G Timon II, director of US-based Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, believes Thailand’s success in implementing family planning schemes over the past few decades should act…
- 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…
- 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…
