Thailand advances 10-year plan for five health hubs to become a global medical and wellness centre and drive economic growth

Thailand is advancing a 10-year strategy for 2025–2034 to become an international centre for medical and wellness industries through five areas of development, extending its ambitions beyond hospital treatment to health products, research, training and international events.

Thailand has pursued its medical hub policy since 2004, although its strengths remain concentrated in treatment services, which generate several hundred billion baht annually. The broader strategy aims to develop an integrated medical industry capable of generating substantially more income.

The government has designated medical and wellness industries as one of seven priority sectors under its investment-led growth policy. The wider economic programme aims to lift gross domestic product (GDP) growth above 3% by 2027, increase total investment to 30% of GDP, raise Thailand’s global competitiveness ranking to 20th within four years and achieve high-income status within 12 years.

The government wants an implementation framework submitted within a month to the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Thailand’s five hubs cover services, products and research

Thailand’s Wellness and Medical Service Hub strategy identifies five priorities based on the country’s capabilities and demand in international markets:

1. Medical Service Hub. Alongside medical treatment, the strategy prioritises four higher-value services. Health promotion and aesthetic medicine would build on Thailand’s standing as a cosmetic surgery destination, affordable prices and skilled practitioners. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is identified for its high success rates comparable with international standards, competitive prices and personalised care. Gender reassignment surgery draws on internationally recognised expertise, value-for-money packages and recovery programmes, including wellness retreats. Dental care for foreign patients is another growing market, with the strategy citing treatment costs 60–70% below those of major competitors.

2. Wellness Hub. Thailand aims to become an internationally recognised destination for holistic wellness, drawing on Thai massage, spas and local knowledge combined with international service standards. The strategy links local assets and expertise with national development to spread economic benefits to communities and reduce inequality. Its scope extends beyond tourism to 11 sectors, including property, fitness and physical activity, mental wellbeing, and hot and mineral springs.
 

3. Product Hub. Thailand plans to develop its pharmaceutical, medical supply and health product industries into leading regional producers and exporters. The strategy builds on the country’s substantial pharmaceutical manufacturing base and government support for new growth industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). It identifies herbs and natural extracts as opportunities to replace imports and generate export income, alongside growing markets for functional foods and cosmeceuticals. Priorities include future foods, international standards for herbal products, research and production of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), specialist knowledge for Thai medical device manufacturers, and public procurement reforms supporting domestic industry.

4. Academic Hub. Thailand aims to strengthen health knowledge, technology transfer and international partnerships to attract foreign investment and joint medical innovation projects. Priorities include clinical trials, the development of clinical research organisations (CROs), and establishing Thailand as a regional health training centre for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

5. Health Convention and Exhibition Hub. Thailand aims to attract major international medical, health innovation and wellness events regularly. The strategy envisages business matching and cooperation among domestic and foreign investors, companies, researchers and medical professionals. International events would also promote confidence in Thailand’s medical and wellness capabilities while generating spending on travel and accommodation.

Thailand recorded approximately 23.2 million travellers in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector in 2024, generating 140 billion baht. The report identified three main business segments: international festivals, international trade exhibitions and the domestic MICE market.

Thailand is due to host the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) in Phuket in November 2026 and the third World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in 2027. The organisers’ announcements confirm both hosting arrangements. 

Health Ministry prepares measures and medical visa proposal

Thailand’s medical industry strategy sets out three approaches to implementation:

1. Strengthen the competitiveness of the integrated medical industry.
2. Develop the supporting environment for the industry.
3. Expand marketing and public relations.

Dr Arkom Praditsuwan, deputy director-general of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), said the department had instructed relevant agencies to prepare measures for the individual hub objectives under the 10-year framework. The proposals would go before the medical and wellness hub board at its next meeting.

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the ministry would coordinate efforts to enable more foreign patients to use ministry hospitals with sufficient capacity and readiness, helping those hospitals increase their revenue.

Pattana also plans to propose longer medical visas. For clinical research, the ministry aims to attract 10 billion baht in additional investment, with agreements worth approximately 4 billion baht already secured.

Pattana said Thailand would also promote internationally competitive health products that meet quality standards and incorporate promising innovations, creating new economic opportunities.

FTI warns of beauty-market pressure and Chinese competition

Nahkah Thawichawat, chairman of the Health and Beauty Industry Cluster at the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), described Thailand’s health and beauty industry as ranking among the world’s top three. Speaking to Bangkok Biznews, Nahkah said the broader market retained growth potential despite conflict and economic difficulties.

Nahkah said Thailand’s approach to cosmetics, beauty products and herbs centred on innovation and international standards, although weaker purchasing power was putting pressure on the market.

“In 2026, the cosmetics and beauty market has remained broadly flat, with little growth, and is expected to contract by about 5–10% because people’s purchasing power has weakened with the economy. Fewer foreign visitors are coming to Thailand, and people are becoming more cautious about spending and saving more,” Nahkah said.

“The most popular products in Thailand’s cosmetics and beauty market are skincare products, weight-management products and meal replacements, inhalers and aromatherapy products, herbs, health foods and spa products,” Nahkah said.

Nahkah warned that competition was intensifying as Chinese businesses expanded their presence. Some Thai skincare manufacturers also relied on China for most of their raw materials, leaving them exposed to greater challenges over the next three to four years unless they adapted.

Nahkah recommended using more domestic ingredients, cutting production costs and improving consistency through technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), while strengthening international partnerships.

“Natural products and herbal ingredients remain the trend in cosmetics and beauty. Small and medium-sized enterprises can compete more effectively because they already work in this area, but they lack publicity. The government and relevant agencies should therefore accelerate the promotion of Thai cosmetics and beauty products in overseas markets,” Nahkah said.

BDMS proposes sandbox as Praram 9 expands foreign business

Dr Poramaporn Prasarttong-Osoth, executive committee chair and president of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), proposed a wellness sandbox to help businesses develop services while addressing regulatory constraints.

Poramaporn outlined the proposal at The Bangkok Business Summit 2026, held under the theme “Reinvent Thailand, Resilient ASEAN”, which focused on reshaping Thailand and strengthening the region’s economic resilience.

Poramaporn suggested designating an area or pilot province where businesses could test services within a defined framework. The arrangement would allow policymakers to identify risks and develop safeguards while giving companies room to try new approaches.

Poramaporn said wellness was evolving rapidly and legislation could struggle to keep pace. Experience from controlled trials could therefore inform future regulations.

At Praram 9 Hospital, deputy managing director Dr Wittaya Wanpen said a three-year focus on treating complex diseases had helped foreign patients’ share of revenue rise from 15% to 29% in the latest quarter cited by the hospital.

Praram 9’s foreign patient business is concentrated in three groups, which together account for more than 70% of international patient revenue: patients from the Middle East, particularly Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia; patients from Myanmar and Laos within the wider Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam market grouping; and expatriates working for major Chinese companies.

Praram 9 is expanding into Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country, to attract patients with strong purchasing power who need treatment for complex conditions. The hospital is also working with leading international airlines and multinational insurers to connect cashless services and immediate fax-based insurance claims processing, enabling patients to receive treatment without paying upfront.

Under its roadmap for the next three to five years, Praram 9 plans to allocate funds to study investment in radiotherapy equipment and provide more comprehensive cancer care. The hospital aims to develop into a specialist hospital serving an ageing population, maintaining its value-for-money positioning and contributing to Thailand’s medical tourism income over the longer term.

Source: Bangkokbiznews Health&Wellness