Thailand performs first domestic remote robotic prostate surgery

Thailand successfully performed its first domestic remote robotic surgery on August 24, 2026. The procedure involved a surgeon in Bangkok operating on a patient with prostate cancer located over 250 kilometers away at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

Dr. Peeradon Sapermsap controlled the robotic system from Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Bangkok, while Dr. Niphon Suphratnachatiphan and Dr. Thanathon Termkraisri monitored the patient in Nakhon Ratchasima. The operation utilized a high-speed internet connection with a 22-millisecond delay to ensure precision. The surgery lasted just over an hour and resulted in minimal blood loss, which is expected to facilitate a faster recovery for the patient.

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat described the event as a historic step for Thai medicine. Health officials stated that the program aims to expand robotic networks to regional hospitals to reduce healthcare inequality and provide provincial medical staff with opportunities to build advanced technical skills. Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital has been conducting robotic surgeries since December 2025, covering specialties such as gynecology, general surgery, and urology.