WHO urges government to safeguard ThaiHealth funding, health taxes

Today 18:52 Key points summarised by AI

The World Health Organization (WHO) urges the Thai government to maintain stable, long-term funding for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and preserve the public health benefits of tobacco and alcohol taxation.
This call comes in response to a proposal to replace ThaiHealth's current earmarked tax revenue with potentially less predictable annual budget allocations.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that health taxes are vital public health measures that reduce harmful consumption while generating public revenue.
He lauded ThaiHealth as an internationally recognized model for sustained investment in health promotion and disease prevention, highlighting the significant health, social, and economic benefits of such prevention efforts.

European protests could raise costs for Thai exporters

Today 17:46 Key points summarised by AI

The Commerce Ministry warns that ongoing protests across six European countries, driven by cost-of-living concerns, could weaken consumer purchasing power, disrupt logistics, and elevate costs for Thai exporters.
Thai exporters are advised to closely monitor developments, explore alternative markets (ASEAN, South Asia, Middle East), and adjust shipping routes to reduce dependence on Europe and mitigate potential risks.