Former Tourism Minister Veerasak Kov-Suratna unveiled a national Wellness Economy strategy positioning Thailand—particularly Chiang Mai—as a premium health and longevity hub. The global wellness market is worth $6.8 trillion (2024, growing to ~$9 trillion by 2029), while Thailand's wellness sector is valued at $42.7 billion with significant expansion potential. The strategy proposes a 5-tier cascade model linking local farming communities, tourism, visitor experiences, creative industries, and high-value services; aims to grow visitor economy revenue from 3 trillion to 6 trillion baht by 2035; and piloting a Sandbox model in secondary cities across the north to distribute economic benefits broadly. This signals structural economic reorientation toward preventive healthcare, wellness tourism, and experience-based services—relevant for SMEs in hospitality, wellness services, and regional development.