BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over on Tuesday evening the opening ceremony of the “Healthy City, Community Way of Life Fair” at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Market near the Government House.
Gen Prayut said Phadung Krung Kasem Canal has been a location for several government-initiated floating markets as the site is hoped to be developed as a main tourist attraction of Bangkok.
“Healthy City, Community Way of Life Fair” is another effort by the government to promote medical tourism in Thailand and produce value-added native herbal products to meet demand in ASEAN market.
Herbal industry is essential for branding an outstanding identity of Thailand. It has brought in THB48,000m to the country annually and is expected to grow by 20 per cent each year.
The “Healthy City, Community Way of Life Fair” is running from 7 to 26 July, with a different theme in each week. The event showcases and sells health products from over a hundred suppliers at lower prices, accompanied by free health services and consultancy by government authorities and local intellectuals.
During the first week which runs until 12 July, the main theme is “Bringing Thai Traditional Medicine to the World”, in which herbal products, such as Kariyat Gel for gum and teeth health, healthy and beauty drinks and foods for women, are sold at lower prices.
The second week from 13-19 July focuses on “Alzheimer-Free Community”, promoting foods and herbal products for anti-alzymer effects. In the final week from 20 to 26 July, visitors can see Thai herbs for anti-aging treatment.
At the fair, flu vaccinations for five hundred visitors will be provided free-of-charge per day while unlimited diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations will also be provided free on a daily basis. The fair is being held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until 26 July.