Orthopaedic surgeons in Thailand must hold a medical degree and a diploma from the Thai Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Most specialists at international hospitals complete additional fellowships in adult reconstructive surgery. They also maintain memberships with the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand (RCOST).
- Medical education: Completion of a 6-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from accredited universities.
- Specialist residency: A 4-year orthopaedic surgery residency overseen by the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Subspecialist training: Many surgeons hold fellowships in hip and knee reconstruction or robotic-assisted surgery.
- Clinical experience: Leading surgeons such as Dr Piya Assawaboonyadej have performed 900+ procedures.
- International credentials: Experts often complete fellowships at Western institutions like Stanford University or the University of Iowa.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thai orthopaedic specialists often bridge the gap between local and international training. Dr Thongchai Theerajumyaporn at Intrarat Hospital, for example, holds fellowships from the USA. He also has specialised training from SureCell in Melbourne, Australia. This cross-continental training is common among doctors at JCI-accredited facilities. These surgeons regularly manage high volumes of complex international cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend checking if a surgeon specialises specifically in arthroplasty rather than general orthopaedics. Most foreigners find reassurance in surgeons who share documented evidence of their international fellowships.