Post by : Shakul

Thailand’s government has raised serious concerns over the rapid increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria across the country. Health officials revealed that antimicrobial resistance has become a major public health challenge after national monitoring data showed that some dangerous bacteria now have resistance rates of more than 70% against important antibiotics. Authorities are now urging people to use antibiotics only under medical supervision and strictly follow doctors’ instructions to help slow the spread of drug-resistant infections.

Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the Department of Medical Sciences under the Ministry of Public Health has been continuously monitoring antimicrobial resistance in cooperation with a network of 141 hospitals across 77 provinces. The surveillance program has been operating for many years and is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare monitoring systems and improve public health safety throughout Thailand.

According to data collected between 2015 and 2025, the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex has developed resistance rates of over 70% against carbapenem antibiotics. These medicines are considered “last-resort antibiotics” and are normally used only in severe or life-threatening infections. Officials warned that the growing resistance rate is extremely concerning because it could leave doctors with very limited treatment options for critically ill patients infected with these bacteria.

Health experts also reported that Klebsiella pneumoniae has shown a continuous rise in resistance to carbapenem antibiotics during recent years. In addition, the bacteria has demonstrated resistance rates of around 35% to 45% against third-generation cephalosporins, which are commonly used to treat many serious bacterial infections. Authorities fear that the increasing resistance could make future treatment more difficult for patients suffering from severe infections in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, officials noted that although carbapenem resistance in E. coli remains lower compared to other bacteria, resistance to third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone and cefotaxime remains high. This situation indicates that antibiotic resistance is no longer limited to hospitals and healthcare environments but is gradually spreading into communities. Public health experts believe this trend could become a major long-term challenge if antibiotic misuse continues among the general population.

The Thai government has now intensified efforts to promote the “One Health” system, which connects human health, animal health, and environmental health in a single monitoring approach. Officials explained that solving antibiotic resistance requires cooperation from all sectors, including hospitals, laboratories, healthcare workers, farmers, and the public. The government is encouraging infection prevention measures, rational antibiotic use, stronger laboratory surveillance, and better public awareness campaigns to reduce the spread of resistant bacteria.

Authorities also advised people not to buy antibiotics without prescriptions, stop medications midway, or share antibiotics with others. Health officials stressed that antibiotics should only be used exactly as prescribed by doctors, even if symptoms improve before treatment is completed. The Department of Medical Sciences confirmed that nationwide surveillance will continue in order to support future healthcare planning, strengthen public health responses, and help Thailand control the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in the coming years.

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