Songkhla: Songkhla is showcasing its potential as a health city by organizing "Songkhla Medical and Wellness Tourism 2026," aiming to elevate itself to an international hub for health tourism.
According to Thai News Agency, Songkhla Province, through the Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office, continues to drive its health tourism development strategy by organizing the 'Songkhla Medical and Wellness Tourism 2026' event under the theme 'Experience Health for Songkhla Longevity' from May 28-31, 2026, at Hat Yai Hall, 5th floor, Central Hat Yai Shopping Center. This event aims to promote Songkhla's potential to become an international hub for medical and wellness tourism.
On this occasion, Mr. Ratsasart Chidchu, Governor of Songkhla Province, assigned Mr. Romdon Haji Awae, Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province, to preside over the ceremony. The event was also attended by executives from government agencies, the private sector, and health-related networks in large numbers, reflecting the collaborative efforts to concretely propel Songkhla Province towards becoming a health city.
Mr. Ramdon Haji Awae stated that building good health begins with self-care, including exercise, choosing nutritious food, and utilizing local wisdom, especially herbal remedies and southern Thai regional dishes that are beneficial to health. He also highlighted the potential of Songkhla province, including its strong public health system, expert medical personnel, abundant natural resources, and transportation infrastructure connecting both domestically and internationally-all crucial factors in developing Songkhla into a regional health destination.
The Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province added that Songkhla's Wellness concept is not limited to physical health care but also encompasses mental well-being, quality of life, and creating economic stability through health tourism, medical tourism, herbal medicine, food tourism, and ecotourism. These will be key mechanisms for generating income and improving the quality of life for the people in the long term.
The event features a diverse range of activities covering all aspects of healthcare and health tourism, including health and wellness exhibitions, booths showcasing medical, beauty, herbal, and health innovation products and services, business matching activities with investors and entrepreneurs from neighboring countries, as well as health check-ups, body balance assessments, physical and mental health care, Thai traditional medicine, Chinese medicine, and healthy food workshops, providing the public with opportunities to learn about and experience comprehensive health services.
Another highlight of the event was the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on developing Songkhla province into a "Healthy City" between the Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office and its health network partners. This collaboration aims to systematically promote public health, with the goal of ensuring that Songkhla residents have good health, a high quality of life, and an average life expectancy of up to 90 years by 2037. This is a significant step in propelling Songkhla towards becoming a prominent Wellness Destination in the country and the region in the future.