The Region’s Premier Pharma Exhibition Returns to Bangkok, Elevating Thailand’s Role in the ASEAN Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

BANGKOK, May 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Informa Markets sets to organise CPHI South East Asia from 8–10 July 2026 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center under the theme “The Gateway to the ASEAN Pharma Industry.” The event is a comprehensive pharmaceutical manufacturing exhibition, technology showcase, and conference for Southeast Asia, featuring innovations from more than 400 companies worldwide.

Highlights include international pavilion zones from eight markets, showcasing innovation trends from Mainland China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Egypt. The event will also provide business matching opportunities and over 60 academic conference sessions. Organisers expect more than 10,000 visitors from over 70 countries during the three-day event, creating new business opportunities throughout the exhibition.

Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN at Informa Markets said, “The pharmaceutical industry in Thailand continues to show strong growth potential, supported by several factors including the country’s transition into a fully aged society, the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), healthcare system expansion, growth in medical tourism, and the use of essential medicines in hospitals under Thailand’s universal healthcare system.

In 2024, Thailand’s pharmaceutical industry was valued at approximately THB 240 billion (around 6.9 billion dollars), and is projected to grow by 6–7% due to these supporting factors. Market research agencies also forecast that by 2030, the industry could reach a value of 480 billion baht or 13.9 billion dollars.

Another key trend to watch is the increasing push from both the public and private sectors toward pharmaceutical development and innovation, including both generic drugs and newly developed medicines. This aligns with government efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical security.

Pharmaceutical and healthcare security has therefore become a national policy priority aimed at raising public healthcare standards and strengthening the country’s economy as Thailand seeks to join the OECD within five years. Policies also focus on reducing reliance on imported medicines, supporting domestic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, and increasing manufacturing capacity for essential medicines in line with actual production costs.

This is the driving force behind the organization of CPHI South East Asia, a technology and innovation exhibition with the important goal of contributing to Thailand’s pharmaceutical security. The event aims to help drive both healthcare and the economy forward, positioning Thailand as a Medical Hub for Southeast Asia through internationally standardized pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhanced competitiveness in global export markets.

Ms. Rungphech added, “Pharmaceutical security is a shared responsibility and a foundation of human security. Government and private sector must work in tandem to ensure Thailand not only has access to medicines, but becomes a country that the world trusts to produce them.”

“CPHI South East Asia is part of International Healthcare Week and will be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from 8–10 July 2026 under the theme “The Gateway to the ASEAN Pharma Industry.” The event will contribute to advancing Thailand’s pharmaceutical industry in line with the country’s strategic development goals.”

Ms. Supatra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Food and Drug Administration Office (Thai FDA), Ministry of Public Health, stated that in a world where medical technology continues to advance rapidly, we are now entering the era of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). These are no longer just “medicines” in the traditional sense, but represent “new hope” for treating diseases once considered incurable — whether through cell therapy, gene therapy, or tissue engineering.

Today, the role of the Thai FDA is no longer limited to being merely a “regulator” responsible for screening product safety. It has evolved into an “Innovation Facilitator,” aiming to position Thailand as a true regional healthcare hub. The FDA’s key mission in supporting ATMPs is built upon three major pillars:

1.Creating a Regulatory “Fast Track” (Regulatory Excellence)

Complex innovations require regulations that are both flexible and rigorous. The FDA has therefore developed legal frameworks aligned with international standards, covering product classification and dedicated GMP standards specifically for ATMPs. This ensures that products developed by Thai innovators meet global standards and can confidently compete in international markets.

2. Serving as a Strategic Partner for Researchers and Entrepreneurs (Proactive Partnership)

The FDA has implemented a Pre-submission Consultation mechanism to provide technical guidance before formal approval applications are submitted. It has also introduced Fast Track pathways for products addressing urgent medical needs, helping reduce unnecessary delays and barriers while maintaining patient safety as the highest priority.

3. Building an “Ecosystem of Trust” (Ecosystem of Trust)

The FDA oversees clinical trials to ensure ethical compliance and maintains long-term post-market safety monitoring systems. This is intended to build confidence among both patients and healthcare professionals that these innovations will remain effective and safe in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Surachai Ruengsuksilp, Honorary Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Industry Group under the Federation of Thai Industries and Vice President of the Thai Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (TPMA), stated that the pharmaceutical industry is not merely an economic driver, but also a “critical infrastructure for national security.”

Currently, Thailand’s pharmaceutical market is valued at more than THB 240 billion. Amid these opportunities, the Federation of Thai Industries has established a strategic direction to position Thailand as a full-fledged Regional Pharma Hub through three key strategies:

1.Transforming from an “Importer” to a “Producer for Security”

Reducing dependence on imported medicines by promoting domestic production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), thereby reducing vulnerability to global crises.

2. Upgrading from “Basic Medicines” to “Advanced Innovation”

Supporting Thai pharmaceutical manufacturers in upgrading to internationally recognized PIC/S GMP standards, enabling Thai medicines not only to serve the CLMV market but also to expand exports globally.

3. Building a Strong Pharmaceutical Ecosystem

Driving collaboration with the government and the Board of Investment (BOI) to create an investment environment conducive to research and development, while also reforming procurement regulations to better reflect actual quality-based costs. This is intended to help Thai pharmaceutical companies remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth.

The Federation of Thai Industries aims to make Thailand “a regional production base for high-quality and affordable medicines,” focusing not only on economic growth figures, but also on ensuring that Thai people have sufficient access to safe medicines under all circumstances.

Dr.Ponthip Wirachwong Ph.D. Deputy Managing Director, Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), stated that beyond its primary role in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the organization’s core mission is to ensure confidence in Thailand’s healthcare system by guaranteeing that Thai people will never face medicine shortages during crises or at any time.

In the past, Thailand has experienced epidemics and natural disasters, and the GPO has maintained reserve systems for essential medicines and medical supplies to ensure that hospital operations can continue without disruption caused by delays.

“Even the most advanced medicine fails if it remains out of reach. GPO’s mission is simple: ensure every Thai patient has access to safe, quality medicines — at a price that doesn’t force them to choose between health and survival,” she said.

Pre-registration is now open for visitors and exhibitors. Be part of the future of ASEAN’s pharma industry at www.cphi.com/sea

For media enquiries, please contact:
Gautam Jatwani
Senior Marketing Manager
Gautam.jatwani@informa.com  

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ANSHUN, China, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 21, at the Guizhou Anshun Tourism Development Conference, Mafengwo Travel Group officially launched three flagship “New Mountain Play” benchmark projects — Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge — while jointly releasing the 2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook with the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism. By redefining mountain outdoor travel experiences through “new play,” the initiative injects fresh momentum into Anshun’s positioning as an international mountain tourism destination. 

“Personalized travel is rising rapidly. Tourism is transitioning from a ‘sightseeing economy’ to an ‘experience economy.’ More than just ‘having been there,’ travelers today seek emotional value from scenic spots and related projects,” said Chen Gang, Founder and CEO of Mafengwo, in a speech titled *Co-creating the Super Play Era of Mountain Tourism*. He noted that leveraging benchmark new-play projects such as Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge, Mafengwo will work with Anshun to integrate “new play, new formats, new marketing, and new consumption” into a holistic innovation ecosystem for destination-wide play. Together, they aim to revitalize natural resources, energize industrial momentum, link rural revitalization, and jointly build Anshun into a national hub for new mountain play.

At a time when travelers are increasingly weary of “man-made check-in spots” and homogenized internet-famous projects, the newly launched projects abandon the old path of large-scale construction. Instead, they return to the wild itself, adopting a “light development, heavy experience” approach to create mountain plays that are “wild on the outside, refined on the inside.” Huangheying Water Cave focuses on “natural wonders + interactive adventure,” using its original “water-cave” karst features to create a genuine sense of “underground exploration.” Lotus Ancient Cave, based on a massive natural cave, integrates “light ultimate” activities such as via ferrata, rappelling, and cave drop towers, allowing ordinary visitors to feel adrenaline-pumping “heart-racing moments” in a natural setting. Luoyang Glasswater Gorge follows the original river course, using natural elevation differences to design trails for hiking, canyoning, and waterfall rappelling, with minimal artificial construction, emphasizing the pristine “glass water” and an eco-harmonious, back-to-nature mountain experience.

At the “2026 Anshun Mountain Tourism New Play” sharing session, Mafengwo Travel Group and the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism jointly released the *2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook*. Ten selected plays in non-traditional mountain settings were featured, including “Night Tour of Dupo Tang — Immersive Journey into the World of Journey to the West,” “Watch Intangible Cultural Heritage ‘Spider-Man’ Climb Cliffs for Bird’s Nests,” and “370-Meter Free Fall at Balinghe Bridge.” These showcase how Anshun creatively uses its karst landscapes as a natural “amusement park” for mountain experiences.

He Weihong, Vice Mayor of Anshun, stated in his address: “In Anshun, the ‘City of 21°C,’ mountains are no longer just scenery to be viewed. They are living fields to be climbed, immersed in, jumped over, and breathed in. Anshun will take this conference as an opportunity to accelerate the internationalization of its mountain tourism and build a first-class mountain outdoor sports destination.” During the event, Anshun Tourism Group also promoted its mountain outdoor travel routes.

By early 2026, the number of outdoor sports participants in China had exceeded 400 million, with participation in mountain hiking, trail running, rock climbing, and canyoning rising year by year. Driven by the dual trends of “nationwide fitness” and “pan-outdoor” activities, mountain play is moving from niche circles to the general public. Unlike the high barriers of traditional outdoor activities, Anshun’s new plays target the blue ocean market of “light ultimate + strong experience + high shareability.” Whether it’s a “bridge bungee jump,” checking out the natural wonder “Eye of the Great Sage,” or experiencing a “Journey to the West fantasy” at night by Dupo Tang Waterfall — these activities are novel, beginner-friendly, and serve as natural content and social currency.

Anshun’s mountain play innovation has also attracted international attention. Anouar, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourism Office in China, noted in his speech that Anshun’s innovation in integrating mountain tourism and sports is worth learning from for many international peers. He noted that Tunisia has diverse mountain resources across the country, with history embedded in the mountains and culture in the scenery — this is the unique charm of Tunisia’s mountains. He looks forward to China-Tunisia cooperation to explore more mountain tourism opportunities and co-create new partnership models.

An international dialogue session brought together representatives from the Norwegian National Tourist Board, Visit Flanders (Belgium), and the Saudi Tourism Authority to discuss mountain outdoor tourism upgrade from a global perspective. The guests agreed that they were delighted to see that Anshun is not simply replicating a “Switzerland of the East” but is creating an entirely new “universal language of mountain tourism.” The internationalization of mountain tourism is not about imitation but about excavating the unique narratives of local landscapes — with its green mountains and clear waters as the canvas and play innovation as the brush, Anshun is painting a vibrant new picture for the world.

A domestic dialogue session brought together frontier explorers, practitioners, and experts in mountain sports tourism to discuss the future development of mountain sports tourism from the perspectives of communities, products, and operations. Qin Chuan, Founder of Wanan Youth Travel, noted that with technological advancements and equipment iteration, more and more “outdoor novices” without professional training can enjoy the pleasures of the wild. Currently, Wanan Youth Travel is selecting and developing “super single products” and continuously improving service quality to deliver ultimate outdoor experiences to visitors.

After the conference, industry guests conducted on-site inspections of new play projects, including Lotus Ancient Cave, Dupo Tang Night Tour, Anshun Ancient Town, and Getu River. Wang Yu, Chief Representative of the Norwegian National Tourist Board in Greater China, remarked: “Anshun and Norway share many similarities. Anshun’s new mountain plays emphasize ‘light development, heavy experience.’ Take Lotus Ancient Cave — it doesn’t feel like a ‘designed’ scenic spot, but rather an extension of Anshun’s natural mountain charm itself, an experiential field you can fully immerse yourself in. The scale of this ‘light ultimate’ experience is just right — thrilling enough, yet truly authentic.”

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Click here for new content package including interviews, and b-roll footage

Click here for images & VNR of Vivid Sydney 2026 Lights On launch moment (including Minister Kamper pressing the button and fireworks across Sydney Harbour) – content will be loaded from 10PM AEST.

Full program and tickets available at www.vividsydney.com

SYDNEY, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sydney harbour and CBD has once again been reimagined as a vibrant city in colour as Vivid Sydney kicks off its 16^th year. In a festival-first, there is no theme for artists and creators to work within, so visitors can expect to see unparalleled creativity across curated Light, Minds, Music, and Food events and experiences this year.

From today, festival-goers can experience more than 200 events over 23 nights that will ignite the senses, stimulate their minds, and tap into unexplored wonder, giving both locals and visitors a unique opportunity to experience Sydney in a whole new light.

This year’s program is home to more than 80% free events across both daytime and evening, a condensed 6.5km light walk with 43 installations, projections and large-scale public artworks, as well as the eagerly-awaited return of the drone show – this year, shining bright over Cockle Bay across 22 performances.

Additionally, the well-loved Vivid Fire Kitchen has a new home in Barangaroo reserve and boasts a significant lineup of culinary heavyweights, while Vivid Minds (formally Ideas) delivers world-class conversations and performances from some of the leading creative minds globally.

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO said, “This year marks the start of an exciting evolution of Vivid Sydney. We’ve expanded the program across all pillars and have opened up the brief for artists and removed the creative limitations of needing to centre around one key theme. 

“Visitors can expect a more immersive and interactive experience that will encourage them to explore new locations, unexpected installations, and spend more time enjoying the festival – both after dark and during the day.

“We’ve gone back to the core of what Vivid Sydney is all about which is tapping into creativity, and through this, there’s this incredible platform to showcase leading Australian talent as well as a chance to bring legendary international talent to the Sydney landscape too.”

Vivid Sydney Partners

Returning as Major Partners for 2026 are Kia and Samsung Electronics Australia.

Kia returns in its 5^th consecutive year as a Major Partner and will display Kia Refraction in Bligh & Barney Reserve.

Samsung will activate with an immersive and interactive sculptural installation, Sky Portal Studio in First Fleet Park for its 5^th year as a Partner.

Joining the Major Partners for 2026 is IREN – proud sponsor of ‘Star-Bound: Vivid Sydney Drone Show’.

Joining as an Official Partner for 2026 is Lilly Australia. Celebrating its 150th Anniversary, Lilly will be presenting a panel as part of Vivid Minds titled A New Horizon of Health.

Uber also joins them as an Official Partner with dedicated pickup and dropoff zones across the footprint.

Dine Out with Uber Eats will also be the presenting partner of the Food for Thought Stage in the Vivid Fire Kitchen.

The festival’s Charity Partner for 2026 is Foodbank NSW & ACT who will be at Tumbalong Park with their interactive installation called Foodbank Truck Packer.

Vivid Sydney runs from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June. For more information visit vividsydney.com.

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SYDNEY, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Manchester City Women are Women’s Super League Champions and official trading partner Axi is marking the moment in style.

Under head coach Andree Jeglertz, Manchester City Women delivered an outstanding WSL campaign playing direct, explosive football that set the standard the rest of the division could not match. Week after week they raised the bar, and when the title arrived, nobody was surprised. They had earned it.

Today, Axi has launched My Roots a new campaign celebrating the WSL Champions and announced a significant donation to the City Girls Programme, run by City in the Community, the official charity of Manchester City Football Club.

A campaign built around the women who did it

My Roots is built on the shared conviction that great performance comes through preparation, consistency, and the courage to compete when it matters most, values that have always connected Axi and Manchester City. As the club’s official trading partner, Axi has been part of that journey from the very beginning.

Julie Sharova, Head of Global Marketing at Axi, said:

“Manchester City Women are WSL Champions and they have earned every bit of that title. There is something about this team —  the way they carry themselves, the standards they hold themselves to, the way they lift each other — that speaks directly to what we believe in at Axi. My Roots is our way of celebrating them. And our donation to the City Girls Programme is our way of making sure the next generation of women in sport, in trading, in whatever they choose has the chance to create their own defining moments.”

Backing Women in Sport

The City Girls Programme increases female participation in sport, builds leadership pathways, and delivers grassroots opportunities for women and girls across Greater Manchester. Axi’s donation reflects a partnership built on more than branding. It is a long-term commitment to the community Manchester City represents.

About City in the Community: City in the Community is the official charity of Manchester City Football Club, empowering healthier lives with city youth through football across Greater Manchester. For more information, visit www.mancity.com/CITC   

About Axi: Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading brand and Manchester City’s official trading partner, serving clients in more than 100 countries worldwide. Axi combines trading technology, education, and performance-driven programmes to support traders and communities globally.

Media enquiries: mediaenquiries@axi.com  

Learn more: www.axi.com 

Watch video: https://youtu.be/bFLoEmHalAg 

71.25% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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