Bangkok, June 22 — Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has partnered with global exhibitions organizer Informa Markets to launch International Healthcare Week 2026, a regional platform aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a leading medical and wellness hub. The initiative, announced during a panel discussion titled “Thailand’s Readiness to Drive the Country Toward a Global Health Hub in Terms of Public Health Services and Industry,” is scheduled for July 8-10, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
International Healthcare Week 2026 will bring together four major healthcare exhibitions under one umbrella: CPHI South East Asia, World Health Expo Bangkok, Medtec Southeast Asia, and several others. Organizers expect the event to catalyze new waves of investment, innovation, and international partnerships across the healthcare industry, with significant impact on quality of life for people in Thailand and the surrounding region. The partnership between DHSS and Informa Markets signals a coordinated effort to drive the country toward becoming a global health hub in terms of both public health services and industry.
Industry Leaders Weigh In on Thailand’s Readiness
A panel discussion featuring prominent figures from government, healthcare providers, and research institutes highlighted the collaborative push. Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN for Informa Markets, and Dr. Phuwadech Surakhot, Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support, both shared insights during the session. Other participants included Asst.
Prof. Dr. Korpong Rookkapan, M.D., Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Praram 9 Hospital; Mr. Chatuphon Charoenkitpaiboon, PhD, 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).
Their contributions underscored the breadth of expertise being marshaled to advance Thailand’s healthcare sector, with the event expected to create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing that ultimately benefit communities and families across the region.
Strategic Context and Regional Impact
Thailand 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 such as Informa Markets — a global exhibitions organizer with roots in the United Kingdom, formed through the merger of Informa and UBM in 2018, and tracing its history to 19th-century predecessors that staged trade shows for specialized industries — the country signals its intent to deepen its role in shaping the future of public health and medical industry collaboration in Southeast Asia.
Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC specializing in large-scale business-to-business events, brings international reach and experience to the effort. The growth of such partnerships reflects broader trends in the region, where nations increasingly leverage international platforms to accelerate development in high-value sectors like healthcare.
Large-scale industry gatherings act as catalysts for cross-border knowledge exchange and economic activity, and International Healthcare Week 2026 is expected to drive advances in healthcare access, technology adoption, and professional networking that could influence standards and opportunities across the region. For people in Thailand and neighboring countries, this translates into potential access to better healthcare services and innovative medical solutions, improving overall quality of life. As the event approaches, its success will mark a significant milestone for Thailand’s healthcare industry, with impact felt closer to home for many in the region.
