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\n <\/p>\nSix-month programme to change habits<\/p>\n
The carb-counting project targets 60 at-risk employees over six months:<\/p>\n
\n\tMonth 1: Staff undergo fat and muscle mass checks, receive information on health risks, learn how to count carbohydrates and are given logbooks to record their eating and sleeping habits.
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\n\tMonth 2: The firm ramps up health communication and issues policies requiring canteen vendors and vending machines to display information on carbohydrate, sugar and sodium content. It also runs weight-loss competitions and promotes a culture of at least 30 minutes of exercise before the end of the working day, three days a week.
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\n\tMonth 3: Low-carb meals are introduced, and an organic garden with more than 60 varieties of pesticide-free vegetables and fruit is created. Employees can pick produce free of charge 24 hours a day.
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\n\tMonth 4: The first \u201clessons learned\u201d session is held so participants can reflect on strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement and summarise what has worked so far.
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\n\tMonth 5: A body composition assessment and annual health check are conducted. Results show that 46 of the 60 participants \u2013 77% \u2013 have improved their health.
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\n\tMonth 6: Participants present their own results, and role models are recognised to inspire others to set health goals for 2026.
<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
Industry warns against \u2018remnants of the workforce\u2019<\/p>\n
Worada Chamnanpuech, vice-chair of the Federation of Thai Industries, Chonburi Chapter, responsible for labour development and human security, said the private sector must manage people with a strong sense of responsibility for workers\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, she warned, \u201cwe will be left with only the remnants of our industries\u201d \u2013 a workforce plagued by work-related illnesses and lifestyle diseases, while employers fail to send warning signals or step in to manage and support their staff.<\/p>\n
Her company has adopted a family finance policy to support employees in four dimensions, with a focus on long-term quality of life so workers do not have to rely solely on the state.<\/p>\n
Worada called on the Labour Ministry to promote occupational safety and health management systems (OSHMS), encourage the creation of workplace safety, occupational health and environment committees, and introduce awards for model organisations in safety and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These, she argued, would be more beneficial than awards focused mainly on labour relations and welfare, which tend to emphasise monetary benefits.<\/p>\n
Call for SSO health fund and tax incentives<\/p>\n
She also urged the Social Security Office (SSO) to set up a prevention and health promotion fund to support health activities in workplaces and build partnerships with network hospitals for health checks and counselling.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, she said the government should provide incentives such as tax benefits or budgetary support for companies investing in employee health.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmployers already pay full tax and spend significant sums on employee health through social security, health insurance and cover for family members, out-patient care and more,\u201d Worada said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf companies that genuinely invest in workers\u2019 wellbeing could claim these costs as tax deductions, it would motivate many more workplaces to act.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ecosystem 3 : 5 : 5 to fight NCDs<\/p>\n
Somkiat Pitakkamonporn, assistant secretary-general of the National Health Commission, outlined the \u201cEcosystem 3 : 5 : 5\u201d framework to build healthy environments and societies that reduce NCDs.<\/p>\n
He said it rests on three core principles:<\/p>\n
\n\tBehavioural economics \u2013 using nudges and incentives to encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.
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\n\tFiscal mechanisms \u2013 such as national sugar taxes, or rewards and benefits offered by local authorities and organisations.
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\n\tSocial credit systems \u2013 local schemes that reward people for exercising or engaging in healthy behaviours with points that can be exchanged for various benefits.
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<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s National Health Assembly theme is \u2018New economy for sustainable Thai wellbeing\u2019. The private sector and entrepreneurs are now becoming key partners in driving health,\u201d Somkiat said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom here, many other sectors \u2013 even those not traditionally involved in health \u2013 can join the effort to tackle NCDs and build a healthier Thai society.\u201d<\/p>\n
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