Bangkok: The Prime Minister opened the National Health Products Fair, presiding over the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Health Products Expo, FDA EXPO 2026. He stated that Thailand is ready to contribute to global food security, elevating the strengths of Thai herbal medicines to expand into new markets, following Thailand's ranking as number one in ASEAN.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Health Products Expo (FDA EXPO 2026 'From Local to Global') at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani. The Prime Minister, in his opening remarks, stated that food and medicine are fundamental to human and national security. Recent crises, including outbreaks of emerging diseases, natural disasters, and global geopolitical conflicts, have highlighted crucial lessons: countries that can be self-sufficient in food and medicine are better prepared to handle production and sustainable development.
Especially in the current global climate of intense conflict, as those following the World Economic Forum (WEF) are aware, many countries still face supply shortages of food and medicine, or even if not experiencing shortages, must purchase large quantities, compounded by tariffs and trade barriers. Therefore, Thailand is considered fortunate. Not only are we a country with food security because agriculture constitutes a significant portion of our economy, but we also have the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) overseeing the sale of medicines.
Furthermore, we are a major exporter globally and possess strong local wisdom. What I have mentioned is crucial evidence of food and drug security, which directly impacts the quality of life of our people and the long-term stability of the country. What we do next is look ahead and position Thailand, recognizing that Thailand cannot simply be an exporter of food and drugs. We are ready to be a country that can partner with other nations as a provider of food security, or a food security hub for the world.
The Prime Minister stated that this means Thailand needs to upgrade from exporting raw materials to creating added value, processing, innovating, and building brands that reflect quality and safety throughout the production chain, including medicine, herbal products, and food. Thailand has strengths that can be greatly leveraged, such as Thai herbal medicine, which ranks number 1 in ASEAN and number 4 in Asia.
The Prime Minister further stated that the herbal industry is not just an economic opportunity but also a crucial mechanism for strengthening drug security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting public health care using domestic resources. The Ministry of Public Health, through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), plays a crucial role in regulating food, drugs, herbal products, and medical devices. Ensuring quality and standardization is essential for building consumer confidence worldwide is vital.
The FDA EXPO 2026 is a strategic platform that connects the economy, health, and national security by promoting Thai entrepreneurs to develop products and innovations, upgrade standards, and create added value for Thai pharmaceutical and herbal products, enabling them to compete in the global market. Therefore, the "From Local to Global" concept is perfectly timed and relevant to propel Thai food, medicine, and herbal products into new markets with high demand.