Bangkok, June 22 — A partnership between global events organizer Informa Markets and Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has launched International Healthcare Week 2026, a regional platform designed to advance the country’s goal of becoming a world-class medical and wellness hub. The collaboration brings together key industry leaders to drive Thailand toward global recognition in both public health services and the healthcare industry. The announcement was accompanied by a panel discussion titled “Thailand’s Readiness to Drive the Country Toward a Global Health Hub in Terms of Public Health Services and Industry,” featuring insights from several prominent figures.
Among them were Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN for Informa Markets, and Dr. Phuwadech Surakhot, Director-General of the DHSS. Their participation underscored the coordinated effort to position Thailand as a leader in healthcare innovation and service delivery.
Partnership Signals Collaborative Push for Healthcare Advancement
The panel also included Asst. Prof. Dr. Korpong Rookkapan, M.D., Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Praram 9 Hospital, and Mr. Chatuphon Charoenkitpaiboon, Ph.D., Deputy Managing Director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO). Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), and Dr. Pasu Sirisalee, Research Group Director of the Biofunctional Materials and Devices Research Group at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), part of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), also shared their perspectives.
Their expertise highlighted the breadth of institutional support behind the initiative, spanning hospital management, pharmaceutical production, innovation policy, and materials science. The event is expected to catalyze new waves of investment, innovation, and international partnerships across the healthcare industry.
Organizers emphasized that the gathering will have tangible benefits for communities and families, particularly in Thailand and the surrounding region, by improving access to better healthcare services and innovative medical solutions that can enhance overall quality of life.
Event Details and Broader Regional Implications
International Healthcare Week 2026 is scheduled for July 8–10, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok. It will bring together four major healthcare exhibitions under one umbrella: CPHI South East Asia, World Health Expo (WHX) Bangkok, Medtec Southeast Asia, and several others. The integration of these specialized shows is intended to create opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing among experts from various fields.
For people in the region, this means potential advances in healthcare technology adoption, professional networking, and medical service standards. The success of the week-long event is seen as a significant milestone for Thailand’s healthcare industry, with its impact expected to be felt close to home for many families.
Historical Context and Industry Alignment
Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC, is a global exhibitions organizer with roots in the United Kingdom. The company was formed through the merger of Informa and UBM in 2018, but its history traces further back to the 19th century, when some predecessor companies began staging trade shows and events for specialized industries.
Over time, Informa Markets expanded across multiple sectors, including healthcare, by acquiring and integrating established exhibition brands worldwide. Thailand, meanwhile, has long positioned itself as a regional leader in medical tourism and healthcare innovation, drawing international attention for its advanced facilities and strategic location. By partnering with a major global events organizer, the country signals its intent to deepen its role in shaping the future of public health and medical industry collaboration in Southeast Asia.
This alignment reflects broader regional trends, where nations increasingly leverage international platforms to accelerate development in high-value sectors. Large-scale industry gatherings such as International Healthcare Week act as catalysts for cross-border knowledge exchange and economic activity, potentially influencing healthcare standards and opportunities across the region.
