BANGKOK — Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has unveiled a new strategy to turn the country’s herbal inhaler industry into a global medical and wellness leader, aiming to generate 10 billion baht ($310 million) in economic value within five years.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine hosted a national workshop on November 7, 2025 focused on “Developing the Thai Herbal Industry: Herbal Inhalers.” The session, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Akkaranan Ariyasripong, advisor to the deputy health minister, outlined plans to combine Thai traditional wisdom with modern innovation to attract international investment.
Thailand’s inhaler market is valued at about 4.5 billion baht ($138 million), with herbal inhalers accounting for 1.33 billion baht ($40 million), Akkaranan said. The ministry’s “Medical and Wellness S-Curve” initiative aims to standardize and expand the sector, raising its value to 10 billion baht within five years.
Two key strategies will drive the effort: improving production standards and supporting innovation. The ministry will introduce a new Thai Premium Herbal Standard (TPHS) certification to ensure quality and safety, provide R&D funding for functional inhaler products, and offer 50% matching grants for SMEs to upgrade factories to GMP standards.
A proposed “Thai Herb Wellness Fund” will also co-invest in startups and provide tax incentives under the Board of Investment.
Pilot projects called “Pann” and “Phat” will help entrepreneurs develop new formulas, conduct product testing, and access legal and export support. Low-interest loans and mentorship programs will be available starting January.
Dr. Montaka Theerachaisakul, assistant director-general of the department, said the government has also launched “Siam Mani,” an e-commerce platform for certified Thai herbal products, allowing entrepreneurs to sell premium-quality goods online without platform fees.
The ministry said the new strategy aims to position Thai herbal inhalers as a globally trusted product that adds long-term value to the country’s wellness economy.
The strategic push for Thai herbal inhalers follows a recent controversy involving the brand Hong Thai. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected microbial contamination in lot 332, prompting the company to recall more than 200,000 units for destruction. Another 2 million units in the factory without proper authorization were seized by the FDA.
Teerapong Rabeutham, founder and owner of Hong Thai Herbal Co., which participated in the workshop, said the company has worked to correct all past errors and continuously improve its products. “Our goal has always been to produce herbal products that are effective and appealing for Thai consumers,” he said.
Dr. Chaiwat Techapaithoon, chairman of Hong Thai Herbal Co., added that he is pleased that Thai herbal products are now being promoted as a form of soft power that benefits the nation. He acknowledged past production issues but stressed the importance of fixing them to preserve the reputation of Thai herbal products. “The media coverage caused significant damage, not just to Hong Thai, but to the industry as a whole,” he said.
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