Thai Finance Minister Relies on IV Drips to Battle Gruelling Work Schedule

Thailand's finance minister has adopted an unconventional approach to managing the rigours of his high-pressure role, relying on intravenous vitamin supplements and severely restricted sleep to maintain performance throughout demanding work weeks.

Operating on approximately four hours of sleep on most days, the minister has turned to IV drips as a means of bolstering his energy levels and physical resilience. This practice reflects the intense workload characterising the position during a period of significant economic and fiscal challenges facing the kingdom.

In an effort to sustain his health amidst the gruelling schedule, the minister endeavours to preserve at least one day during the weekend for personal recovery. During this respite, he typically extends his sleep to seven or eight hours and incorporates exercise into his routine, attempting to restore his physical reserves before resuming duties.

The reliance on such measures underscores the extreme time commitments required of senior financial policymakers in the region, where economic pressures and policy demands frequently exceed conventional working hours.