BDMS Wellness Clinic and Royal Thai Consulate-General Shanghai Highlight Thailand’s Role as a Global Wellness Hub, Focusing on Chinese Health and Well-Being

BDMS Wellness Clinic and Royal Thai Consulate-General Shanghai 

Highlight Thailand’s Role as a Global Wellness Hub,

Focusing on Chinese Health and Well-Being

BDMS Wellness Clinic, Thailand’s leading preventive healthcare provider under Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), and led by Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, continues its mission to position Thailand as the world’s "Wellness Hub." In alignment with this vision, the clinic is collaborating with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai on 21st April 2025 at the Thai Consulate, Shanghai, to further showcase Thailand’s wellness offerings and strengthen its global presence. The clinic also highlights the importance of collective efforts under the #TeamThailand initiative, emphasizing five key strengths of Thailand: its natural environment, the allure of Thai cuisine and herbs, its renowned hospitality, traditional Thai medicine, and its established reputation as a global medical hub. This initiative aligns with the expanding global wellness industry, which is growing at an average annual rate of 7.3%.

The Rising Trend of Wellness: A Significant Global Movement 

It is undeniable that wellness has become a booming trend worldwide. People, especially the younger generation, are prioritizing their well-being through exercise, healthy eating, and maintaining a work-life balance. Preventive healthcare has also gained significant popularity.

What factors contribute to this growth in wellness trends? BDMS Wellness Clinic explores the key drivers behind this movement.

The Link Between Longevity, Aging Societies, and Non-Communicable Diseases in China: A Shift Toward Sustainable Health Awareness

Advancements in medical science have extended human lifespans. Between 2000 and 2019, the global average lifespan increased from 66.8 years to 73.4 years — a rise of 6.6 years. However, the average health span, the period during which individuals remain in good health, is only 63.7 years. This means that most people experience nearly a decade of declining health before passing away.

As life expectancy rises, societies worldwide, including China, are facing an aging population. China has officially entered the "Aged Society" phase, where more than 20% of the population is aged 60 and above. This shift has driven a focus on preventive healthcare, aiming to ensure longevity with a high quality of life. A key factor fueling this movement is the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In 2022, NCDs accounted for 90% of total deaths in China, with 9,058,000 deaths annually—an average of 1,034 deaths per hour. Six diseases were responsible for the majority of these deaths, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, COPD, cancer, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, stated, “NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and other chronic illnesses not only cause suffering but also increase mortality risk during pandemics, as seen with COVID-19. For example, individuals with hypertension had double the risk of severe illness and death compared to healthy individuals. Those with heart disease or diabetes had three times the risk, stroke patients faced a fourfold increase, and obese individuals had the highest risk — up to seven times greater.”

He further emphasized, “Obesity is not just an appearance issue; it signifies long-term health risks. Currently, 44% of adults worldwide are overweight, with the figure in China around 38.9%. Addressing obesity is crucial for preventing future health complications.”

The Wellness Industry: A Thriving Global Market with 7.3% 

Annual Growth According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the wellness industry was valued at $6.3 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028, growing at an annual rate of 7.3% — outpacing global GDP growth of 4.8%.

The top three fastest-growing sectors in wellness are Wellness Real Estate (15.8% annual growth), Mental Wellness (12.2%), and Wellness Tourism (10.2%). This reflects the increasing consumer focus on holistic well-being, integrating wellness into everyday life and travel. Businesses worldwide are rapidly adapting to meet this demand.

Wellness Tourism: It’s All Beyond Sightseeing 

Wellness tourism is more than just visiting popular tourist destinations — it is a journey to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

GWI data shows that wellness tourism has grown significantly since 2012. In 2019, the global wellness tourism market was valued at $690 billion, growing 50% faster than the overall tourism industry. Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel in 2020, wellness tourism rebounded strongly, reaching $830 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.35 trillion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 10.2%.

According to the latest announcement by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Thailand’s Wellness Economy experienced the fastest growth in the world between 2022 and 2023, with a growth rate of 28.4%. The sector reached a value of 40.54 billion USD, approximately 1.4 trillion THB. The fastest-growing segment among the 11 wellness industries in Thailand was “Wellness Tourism,” which had a value of 415 billion THB and a growth rate of 119.5%. This growth rate was the second highest in the world, only behind China in the past year (2023). This sector also accounted for a significant portion of Thailand's tourism GDP, highlighting the country’s potential and readiness to become a global wellness hub.

Preventive Medicine and Personalized Healthcare: The Future of Wellness

With technological advancements, healthcare is shifting from a reactive model — treating illnesses — to a proactive approach focused on prevention and longevity. This evolution, known as Scientific Wellness, integrates evidence-based medical advancements to enhance overall well-being.

Preventive medicine and lifestyle medicine are key drivers of this shift, aiming to promote long-term health sustainability. Personalized medicine, an emerging field in wellness, tailors healthcare plans based on individual biological markers, such as blood tests, cellular health assessments, genetic predispositions, and hormonal balance. By identifying potential health risks early, individuals can adopt lifestyle changes for optimal well-being.

Personalized medicine also plays a crucial role in wellness tourism. Health assessments at a cellular level provide travellers with valuable insights into their well-being, encouraging repeat visits for long-term health monitoring. This trend strengthens Thailand’s position not only as a top wellness tourism destination but also as a leader in related sectors. Thailand ranks 16th globally in the spa industry, 18th in traditional and alternative medicine, and continues to grow in healthy food and weight management businesses.

By harnessing Thailand’s strengths and leveraging global wellness trends, BDMS Wellness Clinic is dedicated to propelling Thailand into the top five wellness destinations worldwide, reinforcing the country’s status as a premier Global Wellness Hub.

BDMS Wellness Clinic and Its Commitment to Advancing the Wellness Hub Thailand Initiative

The growth of the health and wellness tourism industry, combined with Thailand’s unique strengths, has created a significant opportunity to position the country as the Wellness Destination of the World. BDMS Wellness Clinic recognizes this potential and is dedicated to driving Thailand toward becoming a sustainable and high-quality global wellness destination. This vision aligns with the government's Ignite Thailand policy, which aims to establish Thailand as a leading international health hub.

"BDMS Wellness Clinic is committed to playing a key role in positioning Thailand as the Wellness Destination of the World. We see Thailand’s vast potential — ranging from its rich natural resources, cultural heritage, cuisine, and herbal medicine, to world-class Thai hospitality and traditional medicine. When combined with cutting-edge medical technology, these elements reinforce Thailand’s readiness to offer comprehensive health and wellness services to people worldwide. Our goal is to position Thailand among the world’s top five health tourism destinations, making it a top-of-mind choice for wellness travelers globally.”

"However, to truly establish Thailand as a global wellness hub, we must work together as #TeamThailand. This requires collaboration across all sectors—government, private organizations, academics, local communities, and the Thai people. By uniting our efforts, we can enhance Thailand’s appeal as a world-class wellness tourism destination,” concluded Dr. Tanupol.

BDMS Wellness Clinic is proud to be a part of #TeamThailand, actively contributing to Thailand’s journey toward becoming the Wellness Destination of the World. Through its commitment to delivering personalized healthcare solutions, integrating preventive medicine, and utilizing cutting-edge medical technology, BDMS Wellness Clinic aims to promote sustainable health and well-being for people worldwide.