Singapore, 10 October 2023 – MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2023 exceeded
expectations and concluded last month on a high note, witnessing unrivalled
success by attracting over 10,000 trade visitors from 74 countries and regions
during the in-person edition, which was held from 13 to 15 September, and
more than 94,600 online engagements during the digital extension which ran for
seven days through to 22 September. The region’s leading medical and
healthcare exhibition once again impressively underscored the positive results
following the last edition in 2019 with yet another exemplary showing.
A significant increase in bookings from exhibiting companies meant that the
show floor was at capacity this edition three months ahead of its opening and
extended into the foyer outside of Halls 98 and 99 at BITEC, offering a
showcase with 800 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions. MEDICAL FAIR
THAILAND 2023 also welcomed the largest number of national and group
pavilions in its 20-year history, with 22 in total including first-time participation
from Latvia, Poland, and Portugal. The share of international trade visitors was
also up – with 40 percent coming mainly from neighbouring Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, as well as Japan, Korea, China, and Hong
Kong.
The internationality of the exhibition and the global showcase of transformative
innovations and best-in-class healthcare solutions, further augmented
Thailand’s standing as a choice location and health hub in the region and
strengthens MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND’s position as a linchpin for international
healthcare businesses keen to expand their footprint in Southeast Asia. Gernot
Ringling, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf Asia, expressed his
optimism; “The vibrant energy and high engagement levels throughout the
three-days and ahead of the exhibition with the pre-event webinars, was
testament to the region’s demand and readiness to procure medical solutions
and healthcare technology and keen interest to do business in Southeast Asia.
Seeing exhibitors and trade visitors rekindling in-person face interactions after a
four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, underscored the irreplaceable value of
face-to-face connections in the MICE industry. With some 40 percent of visitors
coming from outside of Thailand, this further highlights the relevance of the
exhibition and the significance of Thailand as a healthcare destination.”
For first time visitor, Malaysian healthcare service provider – Ethos Healthcare,
according to its Director, Nicholas Tham, the wide range of products and
solutions all in one place, and the diverse internationality was impressive and
offered a good platform to meet relevant companies in one location. “Of
particular interest was a line of products and technology from a US-based
company with their wearable smart patches for healthcare monitoring.”
For French exhibitor SIDAS (Podiatech Medical Foot Solutions), Thailand
proved to be “a great location to target the rest of Southeast Asia and to look for
relevant partners. It is one of the leading medical markets in the region, and
with its strong tourist market also looking for medical treatments here – we found
1
some very good leads,” said Laurent Vinter, Director, International Sales,
Medical. This is their first foray into Thailand after a successful participation at
MEDICAL FAIR ASIA in Singapore last year.
Similarly for ZKR Intelligent Healthcare Communication Solutions who
profiled their nurse calling systems, according to Sahin Aziz, Head of Global
Business Development, MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND was the ideal platform to
reach out to the industry in the region. He said: “Thailand holds a unique
strategic importance. It isn’t just a thriving medical hub, but it is also a gateway
to the Southeast Asian markets. Given its significance in the regional medical
landscape, MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND was the perfect venue for us to
showcase our leading innovations and expand our reach further.”
For one of the Japanese pavilion organisers – Shimane, Japan, who brought
five exhibiting companies from the Southwestern prefecture, with the growing
interest and rise in Thailand’s healthcare sector, and the exhibition’s growing
prominence on the regional stage, they were impressed with the quality of
visitors and the footfall to their booths, “our companies are very happy and we
are positively optimistic of our return to the next edition in 2025,” said Yoko
Morihiro from the Overseas Expansion Support Office, Shimane
Prefectural Government.
Increase in participation from the domestic market
On the local front, the positive visitor numbers can also be attributed to the
surge in the number of hospital and group visits from various public and private
hospitals, medical facilities, and related establishments from Bangkok and the
surrounding provinces. Bangkok Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, Ramathibodi
Chakri Naruebadindra Hospital, Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital, Sirindhorn
Hospital, and Ramkhamkhaeng Hospital were among the 54 hospital and
healthcare organisations who sent groups of representatives to MEDICAL FAIR
THAILAND 2023.
The heightened interest from the local medical and healthcare community in
promoting Thailand’s expertise and capabilities was also reflected on the show
floor under the umbrella of three Thai pavilion organisers; the National
Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand, Medical and Health Device Manufacturers
Industry Club (MEDIC) under the auspices of The Federation of Thai Industries,
and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). This
was NIA’s sixth time exhibiting at MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND.
The collaborative representation was also indicative of the country’s
commitment to further strengthen its position as a leading hub for medical
devices, and a world-class provider of medical care under the Thailand 4.0
initiative. According to Srithip Utchin, Senior Consultant, NSTDA, “This year
the collaboration and team up by three partner organisations under one strong
Thai pavilion was to create impact and showcase the best of Thai medical
devices and what the Thai medical device industry has to offer.”
Other highlights at MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND this year
This year’s edition saw the return of the Community Care Pavilion and the StartUp Park, and the introduction of the Medical Manufacturing Pavilion –
addressing a range of needs for the elderly, to smart and emerging
technologies, to high quality medical technology components. Highlighting the
success of specialised pavilions, at MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND, the Community
2
Care Pavilion continued to mirror the regional shift towards preventive and
chronic care, and solutions designed for ageing societies.
According to Dr Kanat Khrutakul, President, Health and Elderly
Establishment Confederation (HEC) who conducted a half-day seminar
‘Innovation in healthcare devices for elderly care’ alongside the exhibition: “As
we witness the rising age in Thai society, events like MEDICAL FAIR
THAILAND become essential. They bridge the gap between our healthcare
needs and the latest medical innovations relevant for elder care.” Following the
seminar, key procurement officers from various elderly care facilities and homes
for the aged were given a guided tour of the show floor. According to Apple
Lee, Manager, International Trade Department, HSAP – Huisianpu Medical
Systems Inc, one of the featured stops for the tour, “being able to meet and
demonstrate our products to this very targeted visitor group particularly our
Alzheimer’s disease training system has been one of the highlights of our
participation,” she said.
The Start-Up Park, one of the hallmarks of MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND,
emerged as an innovation hub this year with 14 participating companies. This
resonates with Southeast Asia’s dynamic healthcare start-up ecosystem which
continues to see a long-term upward growth trajectory. Beyond networking, the
Start-Up Park provided start-ups with insights from leading experts including
market-penetration strategies. An exclusive closed-door session with industry
thought leaders was a notable feature. Panel expert, Professor Dr Chagriya
Kitiyakara, Nephrologist and Director of Medical Innovations Development
(MIND) Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol
University, remarked: “It was a very good experience and I was generally very
impressed with all the presentations (from the start-up companies).” He went on
to mention the relevance of such discussions and how they are not only crucial
for start-ups navigating market entry but also for professionals like him to
rejuvenate and reconnect with start-up companies.
Other concurrently held events included the 45th WT | Wearable
Technologies Conference 2023 ASIA jointly organised by Wearable
Technologies AG and Messe Düsseldorf Asia, which explored the vast potential
of wearable technologies in transforming healthcare and featured a stellar lineup of speakers. “The confluence of leading minds from institutions like Johns
Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Siriraj Hospital highlighted the limitless
possibilities of wearable technologies in modern healthcare. Hosting the
Wearable Technologies Conference in Thailand not only showcased the
region’s eagerness to embrace these advancements but also underlined our
commitment to fostering innovation in Asia,” stated Christian Stammel,
Founder and CEO of WT Wearable Technologies Group.
Anticipation is already building for the next edition under the MEDICAL FAIR
portfolio, with MEDICAL FAIR ASIA scheduled to take place in Singapore from
11 to 13 September 2024 at Marina Bay Sands.
For more information, go to www.medicalfair-thailand.com

Media contacts:
Zarina A Muhammad | zarina@mda.com.sg | (+65) 6332 9624
3
Calvin Cheung | calivn@mda.com.sg |