Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, along with Dr. Somrak Jingsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, and Dr. Pongsathorn Pokpermdee, Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, held a press conference on the National Nuad Thai and Wellness Expo 2026, celebrating Thai wisdom and advancing a new economy toward global progress.
Mr. Pattana stated that the world is fully transitioning into the "health economy" era, presenting a strategic opportunity for Thailand to enhance its competitiveness and become a global leader, especially in Thai massage, which is internationally recognized and registered by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Thailand also benefits from a strong workforce, with 291,308 personnel involved: 171,196 providing wellness massage, 71,951 offering therapeutic massage, and 48,161 traditional healers, all vital in driving Thailand's wellness economy currently valued at 1.45 trillion baht.
Mr. Pattana added that to raise professional standards internationally and add value to Thai massage, the Ministry of Public Health through the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has developed regional signature Thai massage courses—including Pho-Tosawayo, Pho-Lanna, Pho-Onson, and Pho-Halal (Pho-Thaksina)—expanded services to new markets with Thai massage for athletes, and launched an advanced 1,300-hour professional pathway to develop premium personnel.
They have also enhanced academic credibility through specialized knowledge in stretching for seven symptom groups, with over 20,486 practitioners evaluated under medical science standards. Building on traditional wisdom to create internationally standardized economic value is key to strengthening Thailand's strategic position from a tourism destination to a stable, sustainable Global Wellness Hub.
Dr. Somrak said the Ministry has proactively established three main dimensions to become a Global Wellness Hub: developing people by upgrading specialized skills and modernizing Thai massage curricula to meet 21st-century competition; fostering innovation by driving technology and applying digital transformation in massage and wellness services; and building trust by setting standards to assure 100% confidence among global users, creating a robust business ecosystem for Thai massage and wellness entrepreneurs to grow securely.
There are standard frameworks supporting premium markets, tourism, halal markets, as well as high-skilled labor export and Thai health products to high-purchasing power markets such as Europe and the Middle East. This expo marks the start of transforming Thai massage and wellness services into a high-value health industry that drives the national economy following government policies.
Dr. Pongsathorn added that the National Nuad Thai and Wellness Expo 2026 will be held from 20 to 22 August 2026 at Hall 8, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It is designed as a National Wellness Platform gathering innovations, entrepreneurs, masseurs, herbal producers, investors, hospitals, hotels, spas, universities, and international partners in one place, before progressing to the Global Wellness Summit 2026 in Phuket.
All activities are designed to show attendees how Thailand will become a global wellness leader, covering Thai wisdom foundations, research, innovation, technology, professional standards, business matchmaking, and international trade opportunities—connected along a single path from wisdom to economy. Over 100 traditional masseurs nationwide will share their knowledge, provide therapeutic massage for symptoms, and advise on holistic health care for those with health issues and interested public.
. Supported by: Krungsri Foundation, represented by Mr. Patchara Wanratseth (second from left), Chief Information Officer of Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, donated 300,000 baht to hire two teachers and provided 30 computers to Suan Anan School. The donation was received by Ms. Napat Kuljittithorn (second from right), the school director.
This support aims to promote equitable access to technology and digital skills education, especially enabling students with special needs to access learning resources and develop their potential equally.
. Ms. Nartnaree Ratpat, Managing Director of Sukhumvit Asset Management Company Limited (SAM), and Mr. Songpol Chewapanyaro, Director of Government Savings Bank, signed an MOU under a financial sustainability cooperation project to promote financial knowledge and discipline so debtors can manage their finances appropriately.
The project aims to reduce the chance of debt relapse and offers qualified participants access to formal credit to start businesses, generate income, and improve liquidity. This will help debtors restore their financial status, re-enter the economy, and begin stable financial lives, representing a shift from debt relief to financial opportunity creation by both organizations.
Debtors participating will receive financial skills training in savings, financial planning, and debt management through the Government Savings Bank's "Aom Tang" application. This pilot involves debtors from the "Fast Debt Settlement" project. Witnesses included Mr. Krisanapong Kitsanapitak, Deputy Managing Director for Debt and Asset Management at Sukhumvit Asset Management, and Mr. Seksan Taweekasikorn, Deputy Director of Government Savings Bank’s grassroots customer group and government policy support, at the Government Savings Bank headquarters recently.