The Thai National Institute of Health (NIH) focuses on infectious disease work especially in pandemic influenza and wants to develop plans and mechanisms for a sustainable influenza surveillance system that uses standardized data collection instruments and case definitions consistent with global standards, and laboratory diagnostic tests to enhance surveillance for influenza within Thailand. Continue to enhance communications and data exchange between laboratories and epidemiologists in the global influenza surveillance network.

The Thai NIH is located within the Department of Medical Sciences in Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. The instittue is staffed with approximately 450 health officials and serves as the country’s national reference laboratory, in addition to the research and development arm of the MOPH for infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Thai NIH laboratory is compliant with ISO standards and accredited by the Bureau of Laboratory Quality Standard (BLQS/Thailand), and other international organization, including WHO.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the National Influenza Center (NIC), Thai NIH had made progress to integrate the virological and epidemiological influenza-like illness surveillance for early warning system; effectively developed rapid response capacity for testing novel pandemic H1N1 Influenza A virus and drug resistance strains. The Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control plan to adapt and model their surveillance system based on the success of the NIC project.

At the onset of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Thailand had the capacity to process specimens for the H1N1 virus using real-time PCR technology and supported national efforts in combating influenza pandemic activities. In collaboration with the university laboratories, the Thai NIC conducted drug resistance monitoring and follow-up of genetic variations by virus characterization. Approximately 150 viral isolates was shared with the WHOcc. In addition, NIC provided reagents to Myanmar/NIC and tested approximately 10 samples sent from the Maldives for virus genome detection.

The goals of Thai NIH for year 2009 are (1) All testing services will be completely accredited, comply with ISO 15189/17025 by the year 2009(2) Integration of the virological and epidemiological influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection surveillance (SARI) for early warning system.