{
  "id": 3205814,
  "title": "Thailand performs its first robotic telesurgery, linking Bangkok and Korat hospitals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/thailand-performs-its-first-robotic-telesurgery-linking-bangkok-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T02:54:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Thaiger",
    "slug": "the-thaiger",
    "url": "https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/thailand-performs-its-first-robotic-telesurgery-linking-bangkok-and-korat-hospitals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 24, Thailand conducted its inaugural robotic telesurgery, uniting medical professionals from Bangkok with a patient in Nakhon Ratchasima, more than 250 kilometers away. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat officiated at the ceremony held at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Bangkok. Surgeons Dr Nipon Suparattanachart and Dr Thanathorn Termkraisri executed the procedure on a prostate cancer patient at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. Dr Peeradon Sapermsap remotely operated the robotic system from the Bangkok hospital.\n\nThis pioneering surgery marks a significant milestone for Thai medicine, building upon the hospital's prior telesurgery success with China. It is anticipated to serve as a template for spreading advanced medical technology to remote areas throughout the country. Dr Somrerk Chungsaman, permanent secretary for public health, emphasized that the surgery would enhance the skill set of medical staff in the provinces and facilitate the expansion of the program to other hospital networks nationwide. The ultimate objective is to broaden access to sophisticated care and diminish healthcare disparities.\n\nDr Natthapong Wongwiwat, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, revealed that Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital initiated a robotic surgery program in December 2025. Since then, the hospital has completed 52 robotic operations with a success rate of 100%. These procedures spanned three specialties: gynaecology (uterine and ovarian cancer), general surgery (pancreatic, gastric, and colorectal cancer), and urology (prostate and kidney cancer). In addition to the local surgery, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital has also performed telesurgeries with West China Hospital, located approximately 3,000 kilometers away, including the removal of gallstones on April 21 and the treatment of a prostate cancer patient on June 25.",
  "summary": "Thailand carried out its first robotic telesurgery on August 24. Surgeons in Bangkok operated on a patient more than 250 kilometres away in Nakhon Ratchasima. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat presided over the opening at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, the Government Public Relations Department reported. Surgeons at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Dr Nipon Suparattanachart and Dr … The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}