Thailand has marked a medical milestone after successfully performing its first cross-border robotic-assisted surgery to treat a patient with gallstones, officials said on 21 April 2026.
The procedure, a tele-robotic assisted surgery, was carried out between Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Thailand and West China Hospital in Chengdu, China, covering a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres in real time.
Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the achievement reflects Thailand’s push to integrate advanced medical technology into healthcare services, aiming to reduce waiting times and expand access to specialist treatment. He said the success of robotic surgery systems also strengthens Thailand’s position in international medical innovation and lays the groundwork for future telesurgery development.
The operation involved a robotic-assisted gallbladder removal procedure performed on a patient in Bangkok, while a specialist surgeon at West China Hospital controlled the robotic system remotely through a high-speed communication network.
According to the Department of Medical Services, led by Dr. Nattapong Wongwiwat, the surgery was the result of close cooperation between Thai and Chinese medical teams. The procedure was supported by surgeons, anaesthesiologists and medical staff on-site in Bangkok, with contingency plans in place to ensure patient safety throughout the operation.
Officials said the breakthrough could help reduce healthcare inequality by enabling patients in remote areas to access world-class surgical expertise without travelling abroad, while also opening new opportunities for international medical collaboration.
