Osaka: The Thai Pavilion or Thai Pavillion officially opened at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai region, Japan. The Minister of Public Health presided over the presentation of the concept of ‘Bhumiphiman – Land of Immunity’, conveying the wisdom, innovation and potential of Thailand’s health to the world.
According to Thai News Agency, the grand opening ceremony was held at the Connecting Lives zone, which is home to the Thai pavilion on an area of over 3,500 square meters, chaired by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, along with Mr. Wichu Vejjajiva, Ambassador to Tokyo, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Panuwat Panket, Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support as Commissioner – General of Thailand for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
The ceremony began with pouring water on the Buddha image for good fortune and joining in the placing of chelaw into the medicine pot, a symbol of Thailand’s position as the center of world health, along with a special performance, “The Rising Sun, Resonates Throughout the World, Maha Songkran”, conveying Thai Songkran culture that has been recognized by UNESCO.
The architecture of the Thai pavilion is designed by combining ancient Thai art with modern construction techniques. It has a roof in the shape of a chrom ha and large mirrored walls that create an elegant reflection of Thai architecture. It is different from the Thai pavilions at past Expos. Inside the Thai pavilion, there are comprehensive exhibitions presented through the five senses: sight, taste, smell, sound and touch, so that visitors can fully experience Thainess, such as Thai massage, tasting Thai food, smelling herbs and watching Thai cultural performances.
The exhibition structure is divided into several important zones, starting with Zone 1, World Health Landmarks, which is a photo and QR Code scanning point to play AR, pin the celebration (as if you are getting to know the door to the land of good food and good living in Thailand).
Zone 10: Charm of Thailand presents the Thai way of life, culture, and smiles of Siam, conveyed through animation and interactive media, along with an Immersive Theater, a giant cinema that conveys the beauty of nature and holistic health of Thailand.
Zone 100, Thailand’s Public Health Potential, showcases over 100 real objects and projection mapping techniques, presenting medical innovations such as AI for screening for diabetes in the eyes, a sponge to stop bleeding from rice flour, a replacement bone from 3D technology, and a pencil robot to help care for the elderly.
Zone 1,000 Medical Services showcases the potential of Thai hospitals that meet international standards and medical tourism, including spas, wellness, and health promotion services.
Zone 10,000 Healthy Food Menus allows visitors to design their own Thai food menus through the Interactive Table, and learn about various Thai ingredients and healthy menus from each region.
Zone 100,000 Immune-Building Products showcases innovative products from Thai herbs, health foods, and Open Kitchen activities demonstrating the cooking of popular Thai dishes such as Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, and Massaman Curry, as well as demonstrations of Thai massage by expert masseuses.
Special Zone 1,000,000 Smiles of Impression is an area that collects the feelings of visitors from around the world, conveying their impressions of the Thai Pavilion.
In addition, the outdoor activity stage also features rotating Thai cultural performances throughout the event, such as Khon, Thai music, Thai boxing, and business matching activities to promote trade and investment in health and public health. Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin said in the opening ceremony that the Thai pavilion at this Expo reflects Thailand’s potential in 7 areas: world-class tourist destinations, international standard hospitals, expert medical personnel, reasonable medical treatment costs, service-minded services, complete facilities, and outstanding Thai and alternative medicine, aiming to become a Medical and Wellness Hub, a global health center.
The Thai pavilion has been open to visitors since April 13, 2025, and has attracted a great deal of interest from Expo 2025 participants, with an average of 8,200 visitors per day. It will remain open until October 13, 2025, aiming to impress and convey the concept of life immunity from Thai wisdom to the world stage.