Deputy Prime Minister Songsak has approved the 2027 plan of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.), emphasizing the advancement of health promotion work at the provincial level. The plan proposes involving governors and local authorities in setting directions and establishing provincial Sandbox areas, aiming to measure six key outcomes including reducing risky e-cigarette behaviors within one year.
On 24 September 2026, Mr. Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.) Board, said at the 8/2569 Board meeting that the board approved the 2027 operational plan developed through participatory processes involving the foundation's board, executive committee, and partner networks. This year, สสส. focuses on creating integrated mechanisms and driving health promotion at the provincial level as 'co-creators of a health ecosystem,' designating Sandbox pilot areas to test and develop innovations and implement localized measures to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and health risk factors, particularly in areas with the lowest Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE).
"The work emphasizes using provincial health situation data as the basis for jointly determining policies and directions, acting as a catalyst for systemic change without overlapping routine local duties. The provincial policy mechanism has the governor or the provincial administrative organization (PAO) chief as the working group chair to jointly prioritize local problems, with partners co-designing outcomes aligned with สสส. This expands the foundation's existing work to a broader provincial level, allowing measurable results such as self-managed communities combating NCDs, smoke-free schools, and model organizations addressing overweight and obesity," said Mr. Songsak.
Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharaipiboon, Manager of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.), stated that the integrated provincial mechanism focuses on strategic budget allocation aimed at sustainably solving problems and improving local health. The 2027 goals include six key outcomes: 1) creating more than 2,000 model health-promoting communities; 2) increasing health literacy and reducing risky e-cigarette behaviors among children and youth; 3) promoting healthy behaviors among working-age adults to lower NCD risks; 4) improving quality of life for the elderly and vulnerable groups; 5) advancing laws and public policies supporting health; and 6) fostering cooperation with private businesses to control health risk factors.