The Thai government has encouraged farmers to grow herbal plants of high quality in response to its policy of developing Thailand into a world herb hub, or a leading center for exports of herbal raw materials and products.
Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha stated that the Government was ready to upgrade the Thai herbal industry and promote Thai indigenous medicinal plants of good potential for industrial production.
He said that the policy would generate employment and income for farmers and local communities on a sustainable basis, as well as creating higher value for Thai herbs and enhancing their competitiveness in the world market. This would also help tackle the poverty problem in the country.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said that the Government would step up its efforts to promote health tourism with the use of Thai herbal products and herbal cities in introducing health tour destinations. The Government is also ready to develop Thailand as a center of excellence in traditional medicine and alternative medicine.
He said that the indigenous herbal plant Andrographis paniculata (or kariyat), popularly known in Thailand as fa thalai chon, is now quite popular among both Thais and foreigners, as it can be used to ease some health problems. Thailand should develop and make use of its herbal resources to enable the country to turn a crisis into an opportunity.
Rich in natural resources, Thailand is the home of countless species of flora, and the use of traditional herbal medicine has been a part of Thai life since ancient times. It is among a few countries with diverse herbal resources and where indigenous herbs are being developed into various forms of products.
The growth of alternative medicine, especially traditional Thai medicine, is also making Thai herbs a popular choice for the treatment of certain ailments.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department