Health Fund Defends Advertising Purchases Through Proper Channels
The Health Promotion Foundation clarified it purchases advertising directly from site owners through proper government channels, including contracts with Bangkok transit systems to display health promotion campaigns at stations and transpor
The Health Promotion Foundation (HPF) has clarified that it procures advertising space directly from site owners in compliance with government accounting standards, ensuring budget efficiency, transparency, and auditability. Dr. Prakasit Kayasitthi, Deputy Manager of the HPF, posted on Facebook to address claims that the foundation pays media companies indirectly through NGOs and organizations rather than directly to billboard owners. He stated that these allegations are inaccurate and that the HPF contracts directly with Bangkok Transit System and Bangkok Mass Transit System (BEM) through proper procedures, securing campaign space at the Bangkok Pier and BTS stations, including 18 complementary signs at Victory Monument for 12 months to promote better public health behavior.
Dr. Prakasit emphasized that all HPF campaign media procurement complies 100 percent with the 2017 Public Procurement Act overseen by the Comptroller General's Department. The process includes committees for scope of work, vendor qualification assessment, evaluation of bids based on price and technical merit, and contract inspection. The HPF spends less than 5 percent of its annual budget on advertising, but reaches a wide audience thanks to partner organizations offering discounted rates below commercial rates, including the Airports of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, MRT, BTS, and other public and private partners committed to improving public health behavior.
According to Nielsen Media Monitor's 2025 assessment, the HPF achieved 1.703 billion baht in advertising value while spending approximately 220 million baht annually on media campaigns across all channels. Campaign effectiveness evaluations for 2024-2025 showed an 84.59 percent success rate in changing public attitudes and behaviors. Dr. Prakasit reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to transparent and efficient budget use for the health and wellbeing of all Thais, and invited constructive criticism to improve operations, while requesting clarification on any inaccurate information that may have been circulated.
