About WHO in Thailand

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.

The South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization, established in 1948, was the first of its six regions. For over five decades, the collaborative efforts of WHO have focused on improving the health of the people in the Region. Home to a quarter of the world population, WHO SEARO provides leadership on health matters, articulates evidence-based policy options, provides technical support to countries and monitors health trends. WHO South-East Asia countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Thailand has been as WHO Member State since 26 September 1947. WHO’s activities in Thailand are guided by the following: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Regional Committee for South-East Asia; WHO’s thirteenth General Programme of Work; the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) for Thailand; and most important, the national health policies, strategies and plans articulated by the Ministry of Public Health of the Royal Thai Government.