Thailand

 INFORMAS in Thailand

Food provision, Food retail, Food labelling, Food Composition, Food trade and Investment, Food Promotion, and Food price modules are conducted by a group of researchers from the International Health Policy Program (IHPP).

Responsible persons are as follows;

• Ms Suladda Pongutta: Food provision, Food retail, Food labelling, Food Composition
• Dr Chutima Akaleephan: Food trade and Investment
• Ms Nongnuch Jaichuen: Food Promotion
• Ms Watinee Khunpeuk: Food price

INFORMAS has been fully implemented in Thailand with all 9 modules as part of the most comprehensive survey of the healthiness of food environments. Thai team has engaged potential authorities, both health and non-health sectors, who could be responsible for long-term monitoring. In addition, we have involved experts and non-governmental sectors to actively participate and support the initiative including technical experts from leading universities, independent research institutions, and a non-profit funding agency.

Data collection of all modules mentioned above was completed in 2015 and all reports (except Food trade and Investment) were submitted to the funder and stakeholders, and published in 2016. Some of the findings (Food labelling, Food Composition and Food Marketing) have been submitted to peer-review journals and is under review.

Public and private sector policy modules

Public and private sector policy modules are parts of the broader INFORMAS project in Thailand, which includes monitoring of key characteristics of food environments and monitoring of private sector policies and actions. The policy modules are run by Ms Sirinya Phulkerd, Ms Nongnuch Jaichuen and Ms Nisachol Cetthakrikul.

The Thailand policy team involved Thai experts and stakeholders in food and nutrition policy and public health-related areas from both governmental and non-governmental sectors in the policy modules. Government officials involved were from various government agencies and ministries. The experts and stakeholders from non-governmental sector include university professors, lecturers and senior researchers at major Thai universities, researchers at independent research institutions, and representatives of non-profit governmental organisations.

The data collection and analysis for Food-EPI and assessment of private-sector policies and practices including corporate political activities of food industry were completed during 2016. The final reports were submitted to the funders. The policy team currently disseminates the results through journal articles and policy briefs.

• The manuscript on ‘Corporate political activity of major food companies in Thailand: an assessment and policy recommendations (by Nongnuch Jaichuen, Sirinya Phulkerd, Nisachol Certthkrikul, Gary Sacks, Viroj Tangcharoensathien)’ has been accepted for publication in Globalization and Health. It is now in publication process.