Professor Dr. Thawatchai Akaraviputh
President of the Association of General Surgeons of Thailand under the Royal Patronage
(2023–2025)
The Association of General Surgeons of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (AGST) was established with the official logo depicting a snake entwined around an arrow within a red circle marked with the founding year 2001 (B.E. 2544) The outer blue ring bears the name of the association in Thai, and the yellow ring contains the name in English.
Figure 1: Official Emblem of AGST
* The snake symbolizes the ancient emblem of medicine.
* The arrow represents the precision and strength used to overcome challenges.
Together, they signify a surgeon who uses sharp tools and precise skills to restore health and ensure patient survival.
In 2012 (B.E. 2555), the AGST Executive Committee officially integrated various subspecialty surgical clubs into the association:
1. Thai Hernia Society (THS)
2. The Thai Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (TSMBS)
3. Thai Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Society
4. Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgeons of Thailand (LEST),
5. Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Club (Thailand) (UGIST)
6. The Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Thailand
7. Association of Surgical Oncologist (Thailand) (ASOT)
8. Thai Trauma and Burn Association
9. Wound Healing Association (Thailand) (BWAT)
10. Surgical Infection Society of Thailand (SIST)
Each club was invited to appoint a representative to serve on the AGST Executive Committee. Some clubs have since developed into formal associations with legal status, allowing independent academic operations. In addition, the following associations were later invited to join the collaboration:
As of 2025 (B.E. 2568), the Association of General Surgeons of Thailand under the Royal Patronage has collaborated with and welcomed a total of 14 associations and clubs as part of its extended network. These are as follows:
1. Thai Hernia Society (THS)
2. The Thai Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (TSMBS)
3. Thai Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Society
4. Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgeons of Thailand (LEST),
5. Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Club (Thailand) (UGIST)
6. Thai Society of Colorectal Surgeon (ThSCRS)
7. Association of Surgical Oncologist (Thailand) (ASOT)
8. The Trauma Association of Thailand
9. Burn and Wound Healing Association (Thailand) (BWAT)
10. Surgical Infection Society of Thailand (SIST)
11. Thai Breast Diseas Society (TBS)
12. Thai Vascular Association (TVA)
13. Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition of Thailand (SPENT)
14. The Endocrine Surgeon Society (TESS)
The AGST Annual General Meeting is held every year at the Royal Golden Jubilee (the 50th Anniversary Chalermprabarami) Building. Main agendas include reviewing the past year’s performance, electing the Executive Committee, and discussing key matters. The meeting is chaired by the President and attended by board members, surgical faculty, and general surgeon members.
Membership has steadily grown from 1,117 members in 2014 (B.E. 2557)** to 2,098 in 2024 (B.E. 2567)
1. Annual Academic Conference – held under the name “National Surgical Week”, with focused topics:
2. Mobile Surgical Meetings – held in regional hospitals such as Kamphaeng Phet Hospital, Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, and Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital (Kanchanaburi).
3. Interhospital Grand Rounds – organized in cooperation with clubs and societies, conducted onsite and via Zoom, Webinar, and the Docquity platform.
4. Surgical Board Preview Courses:
* *Part 1 (Online)* – via Zoom at AGST Office, 11th floor
* *Part 2 (Onsite)* – at Siammakutratchakuman Conference Room, 3rd floor
5. Pathological Conferences
6. X-ray Conferences
7. Joint Scientific Conferences – in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, ICS Thailand Section (under the Royal Patronage), and various surgical subspecialty clubs.
1. **Creation of the Buddha Nirokapat Sasada (“Luang Por Mor”) – to celebrate the 20th anniversary of AGST (2022–2023), in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons. The 21-inch statue was donated to the Vajiravej College Foundation and enshrined at the Royal Golden Jubilee (the 50th Anniversary Chalermprabarami) Building.
2. “Surgeons for the Nation” Project (2024) – colorectal cancer screening using colonoscopy at Uthai Thani Hospital, Phra Narai Maharaj Hospital (Lopburi), and Mae Fah Luang Hospital.
3. Office Expansion (2022) – supported by the Thai Vascular Association (TVA) and other surgical clubs.
4. Support for Partner Institutions – including the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand and the ICS Thailand Section.
5. Welcoming New Members – general surgery residents receive commemorative medals upon membership, including:
-Luang Por Mor (copper medal)
-Phaya Naga Rune Maha Lap medal
6. Mahidol Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony – held annually on September 24th at the statue of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital.
The Journal of the Association of General Surgeons of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty The King (JAGST) began in **2013 (B.E. 2556)** and was indexed in the Thai Journal Citation Index (TCI)** from 2021–2025. The journal accepts original research, reviews, and theoretical articles in Thai or English. It is published three issues a year:
* Issue 1 (April) – for submissions from Jan–Apr
* Issue 2 (August) – for submissions from May–Aug
* Issue 3 (December) – for submissions from Sep–Dec
All articles undergo a three-blind peer review process by at least three experts. The journal is available online (e-journal)
Resident Research Awards
AGST promotes academic development by holding annual research competitions for general surgery residents. Awards include trophies and cash prizes for first, second, and third places. Since 2022, a surgical video competition has also been added.
Outstanding General Surgeon Awards
AGST annually presents Outstanding General Surgeon” awards to surgeons across four regions (North, Northeast, Central, and South), and occasionally includes awards for surgeons in the Deep South. Recipients are selected for their community contributions and receive:
- Trophy
- Certificate of Honor
- Cash prize of 50,000 THB
(Supported by Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, CEO, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) Public Co., Ltd.*)
Finance and Budget
Main sources of income include:
* Scientific meeting revenue
* Support from affiliated societies and clubs
* Interest from bank deposits
Notable funding contributions: In 2012, 1 million THB from the Thai Hernia Society after hosting the International Congress of the Asia-Pacific Hernia Society. Another 1 million THB from the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand (via a royal commemorative project).
From 2014–2022, AGST maintained a revenue surplus. However, in 2023, expenses exceeded income due to cost of Buddha Nirokapat Sasada statue (**1.075 million THB**) and meeting as well as event costs
As of 2023, AGST holds 11.35 million THB in reserves.
Elections are held every two years during the Annual General Meeting. The current AGST President (2023–2025) is Professor Dr. Thawatchai Akaraviputh. The Executive Committee oversees implementation of the association’s plans and objectives.
Future Directions
AGST continues to grow in membership and academic activity. Emphasis is being placed on expanding collaboration and enhancing access through:
* Hybrid conferences
* Webinars and teleconferencing technologies
* Partnerships with surgical clubs and academic societies
Conclusion
The Association of General Surgeons of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King plays a pivotal role in surgical education, academic development, networking, and research promotion in Thailand. Its sustained and evolving initiatives are dedicated to advancing the standard of general surgery nationwide.
