Bangkok, 5 October 2026 – The Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) officially launched the “ThaiFDA International Health, Wellness and Longevity Innovation Forum 2026,” or “ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026,” under the theme “From Thai Innovation to Global Trust.” The event will serve as a platform connecting knowledge, innovation, health products, standards, and business opportunities to strengthen the potential and competitiveness of Thailand’s health product industry.

The press conference was attended by Ms. Supattra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Thai FDA; Dr. Pichet Puedkuntod, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai FDA; Prof. Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, Chairman of the Nation-Building Institute Foundation; and Mr. Pipit Aneaknithi, President of KASIKORNBANK, together with representatives from government agencies, the private sector, partner organizations, and the media. ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026 will take place from 23–25 October 2026 at Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon.

Ms. Supattra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, stated that global health trends are rapidly evolving. People are placing greater emphasis on disease prevention, maintaining good health, and living longer with a better quality of life. As a result, wellness and longevity products, technologies, and services are playing an increasingly important role in both public health and the economy. Thailand has significant strengths in knowledge, resources, traditional wisdom, researchers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare services, all of which can be further developed into innovative health products with strong potential in the global market.

The Secretary-General further stated that the role of the Thai FDA today goes beyond ensuring the quality, standards, and safety of health products. The regulatory system must also contribute to and facilitate innovation development, enabling researchers and entrepreneurs to clearly navigate the pathway from concept and product development to regulatory approval and market access, while continuing to place public safety and confidence at the heart of the regulatory system.

ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026 was therefore created to connect Thailand’s existing strengths—including knowledge, research, innovation, entrepreneurs, investment, markets, and the regulatory system—so that promising innovations do not remain merely ideas, but can be transformed into products that benefit the public, enable businesses to grow, and earn confidence both domestically and internationally. This embodies the meaning of “From Thai Innovation to Global Trust.”

At the press conference, Prof. Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, Chairman of the Nation-Building Institute Foundation, discussed the changing direction of global health, which is shifting from treatment after illness toward holistic preventive health and wellness. This presents an important opportunity for Thailand to improve people’s quality of life while simultaneously driving economic growth. He introduced the concepts of “Suksathaporn” and the “Golden Zone,” which view a good life through three key dimensions: Longevity, living a long life; Healthiness, being healthy and able to live to one’s full potential; and Happiness, enjoying a fulfilling and happy life.

Prof. Dr. Kriengsak further stated that positioning Thailand as a wellness hub requires a comprehensive approach encompassing policy, communities, individual behavior, science, and medicine, together with collaboration among the public sector, businesses, and the public. Particular emphasis should be placed on translating research and innovation into practical applications and connecting health products with the service sector to build standards, confidence, and added value for Thailand’s wellness industry in the global market.

Dr. Pichet Puedkuntod, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, stated that what distinguishes ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026 from conventional health product exhibitions is that the event is neither simply an academic conference nor merely a product exhibition and marketplace. Rather, it has been designed as a “real-world platform” bringing together people from across the health product ecosystem—including the public, school and university students, researchers, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, buyers, and domestic and international partners—in one place. The platform is designed to facilitate learning, hands-on experiences, consultation, innovation development, business matching, and pathways to real market opportunities.

“Visitors will not come merely to listen or observe. They can experience, learn, seek advice, present their ideas, and meet investors, buyers, and business partners—all in one event. We want students and people with ideas to see the next steps available to them, research to connect with entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs to meet experts, investors, and markets. At the same time, the public will have an opportunity to discover and experience the health products and innovations of the future,” Dr. Pichet added.

Activities at ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026 will be organized into two key components.

Part 1: Activities and Knowledge Platforms

The first component comprises four main zones:

Zone 1: Exhibition – “From Thai Innovation to Global Trust”
The exhibition will showcase future health trends and the journey of Thai innovation from concepts and research to standardized health products. It will also highlight the Thai FDA’s roles in regulation, promotion, and building confidence in health products.

Zone 2: Engagement Activities
This zone will provide opportunities for participants to experience, explore, and learn through hands-on activities and workshops, as well as a Mini Stage presenting emerging trends and everyday topics related to health, wellness, and longevity. The zone will also feature the FDA Consultation Clinic, where entrepreneurs and researchers can receive one-on-one consultations from Thai FDA experts and partner organizations. Business Matching activities will connect entrepreneurs with venture capital firms, investors, buyers, and distributors through one-on-one business discussions, creating opportunities for investment, market expansion, and business collaboration. Another highlight will be the WELLNEXT Pitching Challenge, providing students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their ideas and compete for prizes through two pitching platforms:

• “WELLNEXT Market Pitching: Build the Next Health Product Business” – transforming health products into the businesses of the future; and
• “WELLNEXT Future Pitching: Imagine the Next Health Product” – designing the future through health product innovation.

Zone 3: International Symposium – Knowledge & Thought Leadership
An international platform for exchanging knowledge and experience in science, technology, innovation, and health product regulation. Thai and international experts will share insights aimed at translating knowledge into practical applications.

Zone 4: “WELLNEXT Stage”
The main stage will communicate emerging health directions, policies, trends, and innovations through keynote addresses, special talks, and panel discussions, as well as innovation presentations and demonstrations and exchanges of perspectives among experts from diverse fields.

 Part 2: Exhibition Booths and Business Networking
The second component will feature exhibition booths showcasing products, technologies, services, and innovations related to Health, Wellness, and Longevity from entrepreneurs, government agencies, academic institutions, and partner networks. The exhibition area will provide a platform to demonstrate the potential of Thai innovation while simultaneously fostering networks, business connections, and new market opportunities.

In closing, Ms. Supattra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, said: “We invite the public, school and university students, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and everyone interested in health and innovation to discover new perspectives, learn, experience, meet experts, and explore new opportunities together at ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026. The future of health cannot be shaped by any single organization—it requires the combined strength and collaboration of all sectors.”Join us at ThaiFDA WELLNEXT 2026 from 23–25 October 2026, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, at Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, as we connect Knowledge–Innovation–Standards–Markets–Investment and advance Thai health innovation from domestic potential to global trust.

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Publication date: 5 October 2026