Transforming Thai Public Health: NSTDA Partners with Khon Kaen University and Roi Et Hospital to Develop AI-Powered Raman Innovation 'SERS-TB' to Drive 'Wellness Economy' and End the Silent Threat of Latent Tuberculosis, Targeting END TB Northeast by 2035

In the context of public health and the health economy or "Wellness Economy," one of Thailand's longstanding national challenges has been managing the persistent infectious disease of tuberculosis. However, what makes this challenge even more complex is not symptomatic TB itself, but rather the silent threat lurking in society: latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Statistics show that one in four people globally carry hidden TB bacteria without knowing it, as they show no symptoms. Yet this dormant infection can suddenly activate and spread when immune systems weaken, making early intervention critical to ending the disease.

Recently, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through its National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University, Roi Et Hospital, and health networks in Health Region 7 to organize a traveling media event showcasing the "SERS-TB portable blood screening innovation to help end tuberculosis." The event took place May 24-26, 2025, in Roi Et and Khon Kaen provinces to demonstrate the prototype screening innovation that seamlessly integrates AI technology with grassroots public health services, aiming to establish a comprehensive anti-TB technology platform and achieve the END TB Northeast target by 2035.

• 'The Nation's Research Engine' Drives Wellness Economy to Improve Thais' Quality of Life

Dr. Worawong Rak Rueangdech, Deputy Director of NSTDA, revealed the vision behind this research initiative, explaining that the SERS-TB innovation clearly reflects NSTDA's role as a "research powerhouse" and "the nation's research engine" to support the Health Economy (Wellness Economy) policy of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The initiative focuses on applying advanced science and technology to solve critical health challenges and improve quality of life for all Thais equally.

"For medical device research to move from the laboratory to real-world application in the public health system sustainably, research must be tested comprehensively in terms of performance, compatibility with actual service systems, safety, and medical standards to prepare for regulatory registration. This project's greatest strength is that Thai innovation came down to learn from and address challenges from real work settings during the research phase itself. This allows researchers to understand limitations and gives doctors and frontline workers the opportunity to collaborate in designing development direction together. NSTDA aims to ensure this innovation creates positive impact on Thailand's broader public health system, not just as a prototype model in a laboratory," Dr. Worawong stated.

• 'OnSpec Technology and AI' Cut Latent TB Screening Time from 2 Days to 10 Minutes

Dr. Nopphadon Nantavong, a researcher in the Spectroscopy Devices and Sensors research group at NECTEC NSTDA, explained that the SERS-TB innovation applies Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technology combined with a portable Raman signal measurement device.

Assoc. Prof. Pimol Srivikrom, chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee Under Royal Patronage, chaired the third 2025 administrative board meeting on May 27 to discuss Thailand's bid for hosting the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. Thailand had advanced to the final round of selection by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before the government announced plans to withdraw due to budget constraints through an interview with the Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Srivikrom stated that Thailand's status remains in limbo because the original bid proposal was approved by cabinet resolution 7-8 years ago, so any official withdrawal should also require formal cabinet approval. The Olympic Committee has notified the IOC and requested extensions for document submission while the IOC has also postponed its host selection decision. A clear conclusion from the IOC is expected before the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal in October 2025. The committee expressed full understanding of the government's broader economic considerations beyond just sports.

The meeting also addressed issues with the Thai Sepak Takraw Association following the World Championships, where Thailand's team protested against perceived biased referee decisions by walking out before the match ended. This violation of international federation rules could result in sanctions ahead of the Asian Games in Japan in late September. The Olympic Committee pledged to support the sepak takraw association and explore all legal remedies if penalties are imposed.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Ekarachai Sirivatana, vice chairman and CEO of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, reported on Malaysia's preparations for the 34th SEA Games. Malaysia has confirmed 38 sports with Thailand requesting 8 additional sports including rowing, canoeing, wrestling, ice hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, kickboxing, and netball. The host can accommodate up to 4 additional sports before the final sports list is announced in June.

Chainat continues to show the goodness of its people! A young man who came to withdraw money ended up becoming an essential helper, sacrificing 2 hours of his time to assist residents with identity verification for the Thai Help Thai Plus program at an ATM, after elderly residents encountered numerous difficulties.

On May 27, 2026, reporters covered the registration scene for the Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40 benefit program at Krung Thai Bank's Chainat branch, now on its third day of operations. Large crowds continued to arrive to verify their identities and register for benefits, facing numerous obstacles including failed identity verification, mismatched information such as changed phone numbers, outdated application versions, forgotten passwords, and elderly residents who were completely unable to navigate the process because their children lived far away.

At the Krung Thai Bank Chainat branch, reporters found crowds of people waiting to verify their identities at the ATM. Many didn't understand the procedures, with some inserting their national ID cards into the ATM card slot instead of the correct slot, preventing them from proceeding.

However, one young man, unable to bear watching people struggle, stood by patiently guiding residents through the correct identity verification steps. He was later identified as Ekrat Ramsoot, an officer at the Chainat Provincial Justice Office, who had intended to withdraw money but ended up becoming a good citizen helping residents for nearly 2 hours.

When asked, Ekrat revealed that he had come to use the ATM withdrawal service at Krung Thai Bank's Chainat branch. When he arrived, he saw residents struggling with the identity verification process at the ATM, so he went upstairs to ask bank staff for information and procedures. He then came back down and spent time guiding and assisting residents from morning onward.

Although he had official duties requiring him to travel for work on schedule, residents kept continuously approaching him for help. He decided to stay and assist for nearly 2 hours to facilitate the process for elderly residents and Chainat residents who came to register for the Thai Help Thai Plus program.

Millennium Auto Group is hosting the 'MGC-ASIA Driving Experience on Tour 2026,' an event featuring performance and technology testing of the latest BMW and MINI models.

Somprach Bosuwon, Deputy Managing Director of Millennium Auto Group, states that the core concept of this event is to bring professional-level driving experience to customers in different regions, allowing them to experience the performance, technology, and safety systems of BMW and MINI vehicles through test courses and driving stations designed by professional instructors. This reflects the company's vision of creating comprehensive customer experiences, encouraging ongoing brand engagement.

Participants will learn driving skills and test the performance of various vehicle models through test-drive stations designed to simulate real-world scenarios such as emergency lane changes, slalom, and sudden braking. The objective is to help customers understand each vehicle's character and strengths, grasp modern automotive technology, and develop vehicle control skills for challenging situations to apply safely in daily life.

The program will be supervised by a professional driving team led by Choon 'Pritr Maenmeek,' a BMW Certified Instructor trained by BMW AG in Germany with over 29 years of experience in product training and driving activities, along with Aek 'Mongkol Khamsuan,' a racing driver from MILLENNIUM MOTOR SPORT x MAGIK PROSHOP team. The event will feature executive vehicles with special offers.

Schedule: Surat Thani Province, May 30-31, 2026; Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, June 20-21, 2026. For inquiries, call 1286 Millennium Auto Connect, LINE: @millenniumauto, Website: www.millenniumauto.co.th

On May 27, 2025, at Parliament, Nuttapong Ruangpanya, Pheu Thai list MP and party leader, along with Pirtsadee Wattharasindhoo, submitted two draft constitutional amendments addressing the new charter drafting process. Nuttapong explained that the party has signed draft amendments to Section 15/1 concerning mechanisms for drafting a new constitution, proposing two versions aligned with three core principles: promoting public participation, ensuring the new constitution isn't controlled by any single political group, and not expanding Senate privileges.

The party is prepared to support all drafts meeting these three principles. The two proposals are necessary due to a Constitutional Court ruling that prohibits direct public election of charter drafters. One draft incorporates a process previously proposed by Pheu Thai that received Senate support before parliament's dissolution.

Pirtsadee detailed that both drafts are nearly identical except for the charter drafting committee (SDC) selection process. Both aim for 150 committee members total. The first draft allows public voting to nominate 150 candidates (100 from geographic constituencies, 50 from party lists nationwide), then parliament approves or rejects the entire slate without individual review.

The second draft requires public election of 300 candidates (200 from geographic constituencies by province, 100 from nationwide lists), with parliament selecting 150 through secret ballot voting to prevent political manipulation and preserve committee member independence. The selection uses two tracks: parliament selects 100 from the 200 geographic representatives and applies separate criteria for the 100 list representatives.

At Krung Thai Bank's Dan Khun Thod branch in Nakhon Ratchasima, residents continue to queue for Thai Help Plus program registration. Today's queue is dominated by elderly citizens seeking assistance with various issues including new phone numbers, lost SIM cards, forgotten passwords, difficulty using the Pao Tang app, and facial recognition failures that prevented them from registering over the past two days. Samak, 70, said he left home at 5:00 AM and arrived at the bank at 6:30 AM for his first attempt, accompanied by his daughter who brought breakfast to eat while waiting. Another elderly woman, 76, departed at 5:30 AM and arrived at 6:00 AM, having unsuccessfully queued the previous day when slots filled up before her turn; she secured position 81 in today's queue and expressed great relief. Meanwhile, Lalitsuda, 22, a sales employee at Cheer Mobile directly across from the bank, reported that the Thai Help Plus program has brought multiple customers to purchase smartphones, significantly boosting sales. Most customers buy basic smartphones priced between 2,000-3,000 baht and SIM cards compatible with the Pao Tang app update.