Public-Private sector accelerate health tech drive for wellness hub

Thailand’s government, telecom operators and research agencies are expanding investment in medical AI, digital hospitals and preventive healthcare as the country seeks to regain ground in the global health economy and become one of the world’s five leading wellness hubs.

Thailand’s health economy currently ranks 24th globally, although the country placed as high as seventh in some segments before the Covid-19 pandemic. Policymakers, specialists and businesses now want to rebuild that position, with wellness services identified as a potential economic engine.

The Ministry of Public Health has established the Office of Health Economics as a department-level body responsible for analysis, research and policymaking in health economics and healthcare financing. Its work is intended to improve resource allocation and support decisions based on accurate data.

The office will also promote research and development, healthcare services and the manufacture of health products, giving private businesses greater confidence to continue investing in the sector.

True links retail health technology with medical AI

True Corporation Plc is moving into health technology through both consumer services and medical research.

Sujitra Amitrapai, head of retail shop operations at True Corporation, said the company was transforming its True Branding Shop in the Happitat development into a Lifestyle & Health Tech Hub. The store covers more than 300 square metres.

The conventional retail space will allow customers to test premium health innovations and devices. It will also include a Health & Sports Community for workshops with sports-technology partners and a TrueCoffee Hub where visitors can meet and exchange health-related ideas.

True has separately expanded into healthcare AI through an agreement with Thammasat University’s Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University Hospital and EGG Digital.

The partners have launched the Thammasat–True AI Health Innovation Hub as a centre for learning, research and the development of medical innovations that can be used in practice.

AIS builds digital hospital infrastructure

Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), through AIS Business, has entered the digital hospital market in partnership with Arthit International Hospital (AIH), which is affiliated with a private medical university in the Rangsit University group.

AIS will provide integrated digital infrastructure covering networks, cybersecurity, communications services and digital solutions.

The systems are intended to connect the hospital’s data and internal operations while providing the stability and security needed to accommodate new forms of medical innovation.

Preventive AI targets ageing and chronic disease

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) is focusing on technology that can help Thailand manage the economic and healthcare consequences of becoming a fully fledged super-aged society.

Rising expenditure on elderly care and the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases are placing additional pressure on the health system.

NSTDA president Prof Dr Sukit Limpijumnong said the next priority should be to move from treating people after they become ill to assessing risks and preventing disease through preventive healthcare.

He identified Preventive Medical AI as a potentially transformative technology. The systems would analyse detailed health information ranging from genetic codes to lifestyle behaviour to assess a person’s future risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease.

Doctors and individuals could then prepare personalised healthcare plans, potentially reaching the molecular level before symptoms appeared.

The approach would shift attention from lifespan alone to healthspan, or wellspan—the number of years spent in good health. Its broader aim is to help older people remain active, maintain their quality of life and continue contributing to the economy rather than becoming dependent on care.

NSTDA is supporting the work through a Sovereign Data Foundation containing secure health and genetic information about Thai people. The database would underpin precision medicine and more advanced technologies such as digital twins.

Digital models of the human body could be used to test the effects of medicines and design nutritional plans suited to the genetic characteristics of the Thai population.

Investment in medical AI and genomics also supports Thailand’s plan to develop the wellness economy. The country aims to move beyond serving as a base for medical services and become a regional centre for health innovation, reducing reliance on imported technologies and creating new business opportunities.

Start-ups seek public-hospital access

Phongchai Petsanghan, president of the Thai HealthTech Trade Association, has proposed a three-month “quick win” to bring locally developed medical AI into public healthcare.

He called on the government to support the deployment of AI products from Thai start-ups that have already received Thai Food and Drug Administration approval.

The technology would be introduced at public hospitals and affiliated healthcare units, particularly for screening and diagnostic support. The association said this could shorten patient waiting times and reduce workloads for medical personnel.

It also proposed establishing a Telemedicine Center in Bangkok as a virtual hospital. Medical professionals based in the capital could then support public hospitals in remote areas, particularly outside normal government working hours.

Connecting the virtual hospital with medical AI could improve patient screening, risk assessment and referrals. The association said the long-term goal was to establish Thailand as Asia’s medical AI hub.

Source: Thansettakij