On March 16, 2025, Mr. Thawida Kamolvej, the Deputy Governor of Bangkok, announced the launch of the "Healthy City Initiative, Good Health Starts" during the opening ceremony of the health running event at the Buddha Monthon Park, located in Nakhon Pathom province. This initiative aims to develop each district, especially areas needing improvement, like Dusit and Pom Prap Sattru Phai, ensuring public safety, reducing congestion, and promoting suitable activities for people of all ages, starting with walking for exercise.
The "Healthy City: Good Health Starts" project aims to create health promotion and disease prevention awareness for Bangkok residents, particularly to mitigate and potentially delay the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and high blood pressure. The project aspires to provide public spaces for physical activity across various districts, hoping to impact as many as 1,000,000 people.
Since the program's inception on August 24, 2023, health check-ups have been conducted on 700,000 residents across six districts, including Bang Khae, Nong Khaem, Phasi Charoen, Taling Chan, Bang Bon, and Thawi Watthana, with 82,347 people having undergone examinations. Notably, the screening results from the Nong Khaem district revealed worrying statistics: of the 21,455 individuals checked, 14,257 (59.54%) were found at risk of heart disease, 275 (1.14%) at risk of high blood pressure, 5,647 (23.50%) at risk of diabetes, and 7,159 (29.79%) requiring lifestyle change.
With 55.34% of the population identified at risk for various health conditions, the initiative emphasizes the need for continual monitoring and proper health education to promote wellness throughout Bangkok. To assist with this, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning improvements across their 15 parks, turning them more walkable and user-friendly for physical activities for both civil servants and residents.
Looking forward, the BMA is set to organize its first official "Healthy City Initiative" event on March 22, 2025, starting at 5:00 AM. This event will take place at Phasi Charoen district, with participants gathering at R.P. Hospital, Phra Mongkutklao, running along Thanon Phutthamonthon Sai 1. Participants can choose from three distances: 3 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and 10 kilometers, emphasizing health and wellness within the community.
The registration for this event is free, and there will be health care, beauty, and mental health consultations available for 2,920 registered attendees. This gathering not only seeks to inspire engaged participation but also serves as a platform for community members to understand the importance of exercise and health.
Results from the initiative reflect positively on health improvement awareness among Bangkok residents. Deputy Governor Thawida encourages community members to participate, stating, "The Healthy City: Good Health Starts project aims to create health promotion and disease prevention awareness for Bangkok residents." With local health screenings and exercise initiatives, the community is urged to engage more actively, fostering healthier lifestyles and reducing the risk of NCDs.
The upcoming event, on March 22, will provide additional motivation for individuals considering starting their fitness journeys. "With 55.34% of the population at risk, it highlights the need for improved exercise and health initiatives," noted officials from the Health Department.
This initiative isn't just about physical health; it embodies communal strength and support, encouraging individuals to come together and inspire one another toward healthy living. The municipal government seeks not only to improve statistics but to genuinely change lives through encouraging consistent physical activity, enabling Bangkok residents to feel empowered to lead healthier lives.
By integrating education, community participation, and accessible activities, the "Healthy City" initiative stands as a promising step toward fostering resilience and wellness among the citizens of Bangkok. With comprehensive planning and enthusiastic participation, Bangkok could see significant improvements across many health indicators, paving the way for future generations to embrace healthier lifestyles.