ASEAN Breastfeeding Forum 2025 20–22 August 2025, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Nonthaburi Province

ASEAN Breastfeeding Forum 2025
20–22 August 2025, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Nonthaburi Province

The Department of Health recently organized ASEAN Breastfeeding Forum in the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Nonthaburi from 20–22 August 2025.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, with the participation of Dr. Nongnuch Pattaranantanop, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr. Pakorn Tungkasarirak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr. Saipin Chotivichien, Director of the Bureau of Nutrition, and Dr. Thipa Kailat, Director of the Bureau of Health Promotion. The event brought together more than 200 participants, including representatives from ASEAN member states, executives from the Ministry of Public Health, and distinguished guests, at the Phoenix Hall, IMPACT Exhibition Center, Nonthaburi.

On 21 August 2025, Dr. Saipin Chotivichien, Director of the Bureau of Nutrition, and Dr. Visaratana Therakomen, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Nutrition, together with academic staff from the Maternal and Early Childhood Nutrition Promotion Division and the Strategic Management Division, actively participated in the Forum. The Bureau also organized an exhibition booth under the theme “Complementary Feeding of Infants and Young Children (6–23 months) in Thailand.”

In the afternoon (14:30–16:00 hrs.), Dr. Saipin Chotivichien joined a panel discussion on the topic “Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding: A Lifelong Nutrition Journey,” moderated by Dr. Visaratana Therakomen. Panelists from other ASEAN member countries included:

• Andrea Cho, Deputy Director, Health Promotion Board, Singapore

• Ramlah binti Kesut, Special Grade Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam

• Jennilyn S. Ygaña, Supervising Health Program Officer, Department of Health, Philippines

The discussion highlighted:

• The importance of complementary feeding alongside breastfeeding

• Thailand’s complementary feeding guidelines aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO 2023) recommendations

• Exchange of perspectives, experiences, and best practices, including:

  • Thailand’s “1,000 Days Plus to 2,500 Days” initiative

  • The “Power of Three Pillars for Building Quality Thai Children” program

  • Promotion of complementary feeding through the “Smart Kids Free From Iron Deficiency” campaign

  • Dissemination of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) for healthy eating practices

  • Use of social media platforms to promote appropriate feeding practices

Thailand also shared its effective communication strategies and implementation approaches that have advanced complementary feeding practices for infants and young children, contributing to improved child nutrition and health outcomes nationwide.