Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin stated that the Government emphasized research and development of Thai herbs for commercial use as its strategy to enhance the potential of Thai medicinal plants and traditional Thai medicine.

Minister Somsak presided over the opening of the Prem Chinwantananon Innovation Building, Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation, in Prachin Buri Province on 13 July 2024.

He said that the new building would serve as a mechanism to help promote research, development, and innovation of Thai herbs for medical treatment and general use, as well as pushing for the commercial benefits of local herbs. Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital has become a model for approaches to combining treatments in both traditional and conventional medicines.

Minister Somsak said that Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital has been providing training for students, as well, in order to develop human resources for the herbal industry, in response to the Government’s policy to develop Thailand into a wellness and medical hub.

This hospital is renowned for traditional medicine treatment and herbal products. It also promotes the use of herbs for self-reliance in various local communities and has learned much from the wealth of local wisdom concerning the development of indigenous medicine. 

Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital teaches local people how to cultivate and harvest their herbal gardens to specific requirements based on organic agriculture. It buys organic plants from locals and networks for use as raw materials in processing into pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. 

Minister Somsak said that the hospital and its networks currently have more than 700 researchers and herbal plant growers, who have contributed to herbal plant research and farming and the upgrading of the standards of Thai herbal products.

He pointed out that the Thai herbal market value now ranks first in the ASEAN region and comes fourth in Asia. The Government wants to create more economic value for Thai herbs and boost exports.