Queen Suthida delivers speech at 20th Global Wellness Summit

Queen Suthida delivered a landmark address on Thai health, culture, and wellbeing at the opening of the 20th Global Wellness Summit in Phuket. 

Speeches from the Queen of Thailand are not an everyday occurrence. A speech in English? Even rarer. This week, however, Queen Suthida addressed attendees at the opening ceremony of the Global Wellness Summit 2026, which unites global expertise in health, longevity, and wellness innovation.

The annual four-day summit, held this year in Thailand for the first time, brings together around 600 delegates, including global wellness leaders, investors and medical experts who are shaping the future of health and wellbeing around the world.’

At Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thalang District on Wednesday, the Queen was received by officials including the Minister of Public Health, the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), and Ms Nancy Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS).

During the opening ceremony, Queen Suthida delivered a keynote address underscoring the significance of Thailand’s selection as host for the four-day summit. She expressed hope that delegates would experience Phuket’s natural beauty, alongside the warmth and generosity inherent in Thai hospitality. Her Majesty further noted that GWS 2026 presents a pivotal opportunity to demonstrate Thailand’s capabilities in health tourism by integrating modern medical science with the wisdom of traditional Thai medicine, herbal practices, and the spirit of balance and harmony.

“Physical well-being is quite meaningful to me personally.

I have always believed in the importance of movement, discipline, and challenging oneself.

I have experienced how physical activity strengthens not only the body but also the mind and spirit, and perhaps that is one of the most important ideas we can share. Wellness is not something we simply receive; it is something we practise.

Thailand is therefore especially proud to welcome the Global Wellness Summit and so many leaders who are shaping the future of health and wellbeing around the world, and having a positive impact on public health.

Your presence here is also an opportunity for us to share something of Thailand with you. We hope you will experience not only the beauty of Phuket, but also the warmth and generosity of Thai people, our traditions of hospitality and care, and the spirit of balance and harmony that is such an important part of our culture.

At a time when people everywhere are searching for healthier, longer, and more meaningful lives, gatherings such as these are increasingly important. They allow us to learn from science and innovation while also remembering the wisdom that cultures around the world have developed over centuries.” —Queen Suthida, Opening of the 20th Global Wellness Summit (provided excerpt)