Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has launched a campaign in the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham to encourage people to eat less salty food following an increase in diabetes diagnoses, making the province the area with the highest number of cases in the central Northeast.
It was also found that the average daily intake of sodium in the province is approximately 2,538mg, far exceeding the standard level recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat was in Maha Sarakham on Sunday to officiate at the launch of the “Less Salt, More Happiness” campaign, which aims to cut sodium intake after it was found that cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the province, particularly diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease, have increased significantly.
The 2025 public health report shows a 10.04% year-on-year increase in diabetes diagnoses and places Maha Sarakham third in the region for hypertension (high blood pressure), with a steady increase in cases of chronic kidney disease.
Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr Somlerk Jeungsmarn said the ministry was placing greater importance on preventing NCDs than treating them and had been coordinating with local health stations in Maha Sarakham to encourage people to consume less salty food.
More than 50 eateries have agreed to use less sodium and fat in their ingredients, he added.
He said changing eating habits and reducing sodium intake could prevent the onset of hypertension by about 50%.
