BANGKOK, THAILAND – A new national survey has revealed that Thailand’s population is facing a sharp rise in chronic health conditions, with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure reaching record levels.
Alarming nationwide data
The 2024 National Health Examination Survey (NHES) reported that 45% of Thailand’s population is now classified as obese, a dramatic surge from recorded levels in 2004. The study also found that 27% of diabetic patients were unaware of their condition.
“This is a silent epidemic,”
said Dr. Wichai Aekplakorn, Head of Research at Ramathibodi Clinic.
The same report recorded that 29.5% of Thai citizens suffer from high blood pressure, marking a continuous upward trend across all age groups. Health authorities estimated that this translates to 6.1 million diabetes cases and 17.5 million hypertension patients nationwide.
Young adults at growing risk
According to the NHES data, the highest rates of obesity were observed among individuals aged 15 to 34. Metabolic syndrome—a combination of risk factors linked to heart disease—now affects 28.4% of Thailand’s total population.
“We must start with the young,”
said an NHES health expert, calling for targeted prevention campaigns in schools and universities across provinces from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
E-cigarette use triples since 2020
Researchers registered an explosive rise in e-cigarette consumption, which has nearly tripled since 2020. Official statistics showed approximately 60,000 minors aged 10–14 using e-cigarettes and another 840,000 adults aged 20–29 vaping regularly.
“A dangerous development,”
said Dr. Roengrudee Patanavanich, Public Health Specialist, as she reviewed the latest figures from Bangkok monitoring centers.
Lifestyle factors driving illness
The study indicated that 42.6% of the population reported insufficient physical activity, while 12.9% engaged in heavy drinking. These behaviors, reported across 77 provinces, directly corresponded with higher clinic and hospital admissions recorded by the Ministry of Public Health between 2022 and 2024.
Health researchers urged public agencies to strengthen community programs and expand early detection campaigns nationwide.
“We must counteract now,”
demanded Dr. Wichai Aekplakorn, Ramathibodi Clinic, who said the country had limited time to prevent an overload of the healthcare system.
National response required
The Ministry of Public Health warned that Thailand’s existing medical infrastructure could face severe strain within the next five years if intervention stagnates. Specialists called for a national plan promoting dietary reform, exercise, and tobacco control policies.
“Early prevention is crucial,”
emphasized Dr. Wichai Aekplakorn, Ramathibodi Clinic, adding that immediate attention to youth health represented the best chance to reverse the trend.
- 45% of Thais are obese in 2024 (vs lower levels in 2004)
- 29.5% face high blood pressure
- 6.1 million diabetes cases, 17.5 million hypertension patients
- 42.6% exercise too little
- 12.9% report heavy alcohol use
- E-cigarette use has tripled since 2020
By mid-2024, Thai health experts agreed that action at national and community levels must accelerate to prevent what they described as a looming public health emergency.