Page 109 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

2. Country policy on traditional medicine

Thailand’s policy on traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) follows

the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation that is secure, prosperous, and

sustainable, in line with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of the Late King Rama
IX. To achieve this goal, the policy on T&CM is divided into two main strategies for
effectively utilising T&CM in the country’s health systems.

The first strategy of the T&CM policy is to develop and strengthen human capital.

The aim is to support the healthcare system and improve the quality of life for Thai
citizens, as stated in Section 55 of the Kingdom of Thailand’s Constitution B.E. 2560
(2017). The constitution emphasises the state’s responsibility to provide efficient public

health services universally, promote basic knowledge about health promotion and disease

control, and support the advancement of the wisdom of Thai traditional medicine to
maximise its benefits. The National Health Act, B.E. 2550 (2007) is the crucial law that
provides a conceptual framework and guidelines for the formulation of public health

policies and strategies via the preparation of ‘the Statute on the National Health System’.

The Act states “the promotion and support of the use and development of local wisdom
of health care, Thai traditional medicine, Thai indigenous medicine, and other alternative
medicines” as one of the twelve essential matters to be covered in the Statute.

The second strategy of the T&CM policy is to leverage T&CM knowledge to

achieve Thailand’s goal of becoming a high-income country within the next 20 years,
as outlined in the country’s National Strategy on Competitiveness Enhancement. T&CM,
especially Thai herbal products and Thai traditional medicine services, has the potential
T raditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report
to increase national income and competitiveness in two main ways.

Firstly, herbal products can support value-added agriculture by promoting the use
of the country’s biodiversity in the manufacturing sector, enhancing the increased value
of agricultural products and further developing high-value innovations from Thai medicinal

plants. For instance, potential herbs can be identified and researched to develop modern

innovative herbal products for medical use, health promotion, and other advanced
industries based on market demand.
Secondly, Thai traditional medicine can be adapted to create diverse health tourism

opportunities by combining the wisdom of Thai traditional medicine with the art of

Thai-style service. This can create attractive activities in medical and wellness tourism
for both Thai and foreign tourists, providing them with an impressive experience of
traditional forms of health care of Thailand to improve and strengthen their health.

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