Priyakorn indicated that Thailand has evolved as a global leader in Halal food since 2001.

His remarks came during a panel discussion held in early September as part of the activities of the Global Halal Forum on “Perspectives on the Development of Global Halal Industry as well as Its Opportunities and Challenges: in the Case of Each Country” at the 13th World HAPEX Thailand, in Hat Yai city.

 “Being among the top ten Halal products exporters worldwide proves that Thailand gives importance to the Halal food industry,” Lieutenant Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), told Ahram Online.

On the reasons behind the Thai focus on such an industry, Preededilok explained that exporting Thai products worldwide is one of the goals of such importance.

“What also drives Thailand’s importance to Halal industry is that its second majority among its population is Muslims, second to Buddhists,” Preededilok said, referring to the domestic consumption of the local Muslim community, which accounts for nearly 6 percent of the total Thai population.

Moreover, he indicates that Halal tourism is also one of the reasons.

According to the latest Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024 report, Thailand ranked fifth, excluding Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations, among top destinations for Muslim travellers worldwide.

According to the report, this achievement demonstrates Thailand's commitment to improving the travel experience for Muslim tourists by increasing Halal food options and availability and incorporating Muslim-friendly amenities such as prayer rooms into tourist attractions.

Wold HAPEX Thailand 2024
 

Aimed to establish Thailand as a leading hub for Halal tourism and wellness in the ASEAN region, the global event brought together industry practitioners, academics, and prominent figures from the tourism, hospitality, wellness, certification, governance, and legislation sectors.

The 2024 edition of the World HAPEX Thailand, held in Southern Thailand under the theme “Halal Tourism, Hospitality and Wellness,” is an annual international conference and expo dedicated to Halal products.

Asman Taeali, Director of Halal Institute of the Prince of Songkla University, which organised the Global Halal Forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, said the World HAPEX and its accompanying Global Halal Forum aim to develop the cooperation and collaboration between countries on the Halal industry.

“The conference aims to serve as a platform for exchanging information and expertise between countries, ensuring that no party works in isolation,” Taeali told Ahram Online.

Alaa Abdelall El-Nemr, Head of Veterinary Medicine Directorate in Giza of Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, participated as a panel discussant at the forum.

He briefed the forum on the work of the General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS) on promoting Halal industry in Egypt through providing Halal certification, organising workshops and training courses aimed at raising awareness about complying with Halal standards, and offering consultancy services to companies that are interested in entering Halal market.

“In Egypt, there is an increasing demand for Halal products for domestic consumption and export. However, Egypt still encountered several challenges, including the need to comply with local and international standards to ensure that Egypt’s Halal certificates gained recognition in the global market. In addition, other countries should invest in infrastructure and collaborate with local institutions to develop unified standards,” El-Nemr said.

Meanwhile, Taeali said this year's event focused on various aspects of tourism and healthcare services because “Muslim tourists prioritize Halal food and prefer hotel rooms equipped with a prayer rug and a Qibla direction indicator."

“They also sometimes seek gyms with separate facilities for men and women,” Taeali said.

Therefore, he noted that the institute plays a role in developing cadres and personnel in the Thai Halal industry to produce and provide Halal products and services.

“We have also established a specialized curriculum for Halal logistics management to complete the supply chains, in addition to preparing personnel for Halal tourism and Halal healthcare services,” Taeali said.

Halal Science Center
 

In Thailand, various entities actively promote the Halal industry, alongside the Halal Institute of the Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai.

Among these is the renowned Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the Halal status of products through rigorous scientific analysis and raising awareness through educational initiatives.

Sulida Wangchi, Assistant Director at the Halal Science Center, emphasized that the centre acts as a key supporting unit for Halal certification in Thailand to protect consumers within Thailand and globally.

She indicated that the centre analyzes Halal products from four sources through its forensic laboratory.

“The centre works with manufacturers who send their products for testing to detect potential contamination and the Islamic committee that reviews products submitted for Halal certification. If there are any concerns from the committee about the products' Halal status, the centre intervenes to provide support through its scientific expertise,” Wangchi told Ahram Online.

Additionally, Wangchi noted that the centre’s staff conducts random checks by collecting samples from markets and supermarkets to ensure compliance with Halal standards.

According to the centre's assistant director, the centre staff also respond to consumer concerns, testing products they use that may be in question.

“In some cases, the centre receives products from international sources overseas to confirm their Halal status before they enter the market,” she said.

Raising Awareness
 

Beyond its scientific role, the centre also raises awareness about Halal standards.

"We conduct lectures and host numerous visitors from Muslim organizations, schools, and universities, both from Thailand and abroad, to educate them on all aspects of Halal," Wangchi said.

She added that as an academic institution, they provide education on Halal practices from every angle.

In this context, El-Nemr told Ahram Online that this issue requires global attention concerning consumers' perspectives. 

"While the term 'Halal' for a Muslim consumer’s traditional perspective refers to animals slaughtered according to Islamic law, it has evolved to include food products, cosmetics, medicines, and even medical services and tourism,” El-Nemr said.