Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is witnessing a concerning rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the latest National Health Examination Survey (NHES). Health experts emphasize the urgent need for early prevention, particularly among the youth, to mitigate long-term health and economic consequences. The survey indicates significant increases in obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes across the country.

 

The study, conducted between August 2024 and April 2025 by Dr. Wichai Aekplakorn of Mahidol University in collaboration with Thai Health and the Health Systems Research Institute, involved 30,057 participants nationwide. The data reveals alarming growth in NCD risk factors since 2004: obesity rates have escalated from 28.6% to 45%, hypertension from 22% to 29.5%, high cholesterol from 16.5% to 19.8%, and diabetes from 6.6% to 10.6%.

 

A significant concern is the lack of awareness, as 27% of those with diabetes are undiagnosed, and close to 50% of those with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Obesity is most prevalent in individuals aged 15–34, while high cholesterol is common in the 45–59 age group. Currently, approximately 6.1 million Thais have diabetes, 17.5 million have hypertension, and 5.7 million are pre-diabetic.

 

Dr. Roengrudee Patanavanich from Ramathibodi Hospital highlights lifestyle factors such as alcohol and tobacco use as major contributors to the rising NCD rates. Traditional cigarette smoking has decreased since 2004, but e-cigarette usage has surged, with an estimated 60,000 users aged 10–14 and 840,000 aged 20–29. Additionally, heavy drinking has risen to 12.9%, and insufficient physical activity has increased to 42.6% from 30%.

 

The findings suggest immediate action is necessary to address these health challenges. The focus will likely be on enhancing public health awareness and promoting healthier lifestyle choices to reverse these trends.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand's NCD risk factors show significant rises since 2004.
• Awareness of conditions like diabetes and hypertension remains low.
• Lifestyle changes are crucial to mitigating these health risks.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-11-10

 

 

Same is happening in other countries...the youth is playing too many games and on their telephone, the food is unhealthy everywhere with too much sugar and fat, and with the stress of a failing Government, and hardly enough money to make ends meet every month and you have all the causes of the modern diseases... And in Thailand they keep on wearing masks as the only country in the whole world.. They don't see it is useless against these matters and they don't know it will not protect them for accidents with the motorcycle

Describing a disease as non-communicable is an oxymoron. By definition, a disease is communicable.

 

Attributing the effects of over-eating and poor diet, lack of exercise, and over-indulgence of alcohol to the class of "disease" implies the sufferer is not responsible for the consequential health outcomes of their choices. Actions have consequences.

 

They are suffering from an illness as a result of their poor lifestyle choices, or some because of hereditary bad luck, but not a disease. 

We all know why the increase i happening. People now are lazy. They rarely do any activities. Most never cook healthy or eat healthy street food. They sit stagnant on their phone for free time. 

They breathe bad Air as well. How can people not be getting illnesses such as these? i would love to see a comparison to those Thai living in tourist cities where drinking daily is also part of their lifestyle. 

42 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Describing a disease as non-communicable is an oxymoron. By definition, a disease is communicable.

 

Rubbish. Tell us is liver disease as just one of many examples communicable? 

All these people are sick already, scamdemics aren't the problem. 

2 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Describing a disease as non-communicable is an oxymoron. By definition, a disease is communicable.

 

Attributing the effects of over-eating and poor diet, lack of exercise, and over-indulgence of alcohol to the class of "disease" implies the sufferer is not responsible for the consequential health outcomes of their choices. Actions have consequences.

 

They are suffering from an illness as a result of their poor lifestyle choices, or some because of hereditary bad luck, but not a disease. 

By definition OED

a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that has a distinctive group of symptoms, signs, or anatomical changes and often has known causes.

PFD ( processed food disease) is the scourge of modern living today. 

3 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Describing a disease as non-communicable is an oxymoron. By definition, a disease is communicable.

 

I wonder which dictionary you are using.

s significant increases in obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes across the country.  Welcome to the modern world and fast food and processed food diet.  

10 minutes ago, Tailwagsdog said:

PFD ( processed food disease) is the scourge of modern living today. 

 

 "Processed food disease" is not a formally recognized medical diagnosis. 

 

The problems mentioned in the article are symptoms of a stratified, hierarchical society where those at the bottom are born into a resource-scarce life. 

 

This mainly a function of the social determinants of health.  Economic stability, access to education & health care, a healthy environment and social and community support structures all play major roles. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving overall health of the general public.  There are people who, through no fault of their own, live in food deserts, where the most accessible food is a shelf-stable starchy bun containing a tube of cured meat.  

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The survey indicates significant increases in obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes across the country.

Something needs to be done about the diet of many.

My local temple has had a long running market during Loy Krathong, 90% of the food available was junk food.

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Same is happening in other countries...the youth is playing too many games and on their telephone, the food is unhealthy everywhere with too much sugar and fat, and with the stress of a failing Government, and hardly enough money to make ends meet every month and you have all the causes of the modern diseases... And in Thailand they keep on wearing masks as the only country in the whole world.. They don't see it is useless against these matters and they don't know it will not protect them for accidents with the motorcycle

But masks do help protect from the ever increasing air pollution in Thailand especially in the cities. When I'm in the city I wear a mask while riding my bicycle. By the way many wore them before COVID.

4 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Describing a disease as non-communicable is an oxymoron. By definition, a disease is communicable.

 

Attributing the effects of over-eating and poor diet, lack of exercise, and over-indulgence of alcohol to the class of "disease" implies the sufferer is not responsible for the consequential health outcomes of their choices. Actions have consequences.

 

They are suffering from an illness as a result of their poor lifestyle choices, or some because of hereditary bad luck, but not a disease. 

You are confused and do not understand the terms. A disease does not need to be communicable.

There article is referring to non communicable diseases, such as kidney and heart disease. These are not communicable.

 

A general definition of an Infectious disease is one that is caused by germs (such as bacteria, viruses and fungi) that spread from person to person, are transmitted by insects or other animals, or are present in the air, water, food, or soil. 

A communicable disease is spread from person to person, or from animal to person (e.g., through body fluids or droplets). All communicable diseases are infectious.  But not all infectious diseases are communicable (e.g., tetanus is infectious but not communicable).

The majority of Thai food is fat, grease oil xarbs and sugar.  Death food.

Wearing those filthy masks all day contribute to germ infestation and disease. 

3 hours ago, dutch boy said:

Wearing those filthy masks all day contribute to germ infestation and disease. 

 

Wear a clean one instead, then 

The arrival of Western fast food outlets from the billionaires chain food outlets has increased the obesity problem.

 

You only have to look at the KFC and McDonalds restaurants to see how full they are, not forgetting Pizza joints. These are children’s favorites around the world!  Starbucks try to offer plant based milk and baguettes.

 

But trying to find healthy food in some parts of Thailand is virtually impossible. 7Elevens are the worst culprits! They try during the vegetarian week but their alternatives are loaded with additives, only a few healthy snacks.

 

Eating out is popular as in all Tropical countries where it has been traditional because of cooking in a hot kitchen, poor families have no air con and the social aspect of mixing with others and helping others. Quite a contrast from the Pub culture, although many Pubs in Britain now have a range of non-alcoholic beverages and plant based foods ( proven to reduce the bad cholesterol).

But sadly the eating out places, markets etc have only foods that will not help to lose weight and lower cholesterol.

 

All working in favour of the Health Insurance Companies. And as in many countries, demand outstrips supply in hospitals. More Thais are now having private health insurance, their policies seem more favourable than Westerners.

 

Many have outlined other reasons in this article for the health concerns eg alcohol; e-cigarettes, electronic devices, lack of exercise etc and true to say that it is a global. Billionaire Companies have the upper hand, except I believe in Scandinavian countries ??, Japan? Cultural factors play a role too.

Anecdotally, looking at obese vs healthy people, a study of their finances goes a long way in understanding a major player in this problem; money.

Cheap food 'generally' isn't as healthy as 'expensive' food. You get a lot more potatoes and pasta for your dollar than you do with eggs, grass-fed pork, lamb, or beef.

Another culprit is 'time.' Everyone is rushing these days, so a meal that can be 'prepared' (by stuffing it into the microwave) on the go in a 7-Eleven takes precedence over standing over a hot stove for hours every evening cooking a healthy dinner.

Carbs are cheaper than protein. That's why there are usually MORE carbs than protein even in a 'protein bar.'   

Science has already proven that excess carbs get stored as fat in the body.

Have another Ham & Cheese Toastie from 7-Eleven... This could be you in a few years.

Why are the women in the photo wearing masks?  Moar injections, moar lockdowns and show your papers.   It worked so well the first time that another round is overdue.  

The Thais, like most countries, are adopting the SAD (standard American diet}. High fat, high sugar, and high carbs. This is the cause of most modern-day ailments categorised as metabolic Disease. I was eating in a street-side food shop in Samut Prakan last night when I pointed out that two lots of young diners had ordered chips. You would never have seen that outside of tourist areas just a few years ago