ABOUT GAT

Message From President

Dr. Teerha Piratvisuth
President, Term 2025-2026

Dear Respected Past Presidents, Distinguished Faculty Members, and Beloved Members of the Gastroenterological Association of Thailand,

First and foremost, I, Dr. Teerha Piratvisuth, would like to express my sincere gratitude for the honor bestowed upon me to serve as the President of the Gastroenterological Association of Thailand for the term 2025-2026.

I would like to take this opportunity to present our vision and operational policies for the next two years. Our aspiration is to establish the Gastroenterological Association of Thailand as a globally recognized organization of excellence through policies and strategies encompassing three core missions: advanced fellowship training in gastroenterology, provision of cutting-edge academic knowledge and clinical practice guidelines for our members, and positioning our association as a leading societal voice and trusted reference institution both nationally and internationally.

1. Fellowship Training in Gastroenterology
   Our program offers comprehensive training that incorporates academic knowledge and procedural competency in gastroenterology and hepatology, meeting international standards. Fellows are trained to deliver high-quality patient care that meets both national and international benchmarks. We encourage continuous medical education to maintain current knowledge and skills. Importantly, we emphasize strong medical ethics among our trainees. The fellowship program operates under the supervision of the Postgraduate Education Committee Chairman and its members, with full support from the Executive Committee. We maintain close coordination with training institutions nationwide. The evaluation process comprehensively assesses academic knowledge, procedural skills, ethical conduct, and commitment to continuous professional development.
   *Note: The Inter-hospital Conference program will expand to include regional medical centers and potentially neighboring countries through virtual meetings.
2. Academic Excellence and Clinical Practice Guidelines
   We will organize mid-year and annual scientific meetings featuring cutting-edge content delivered by expert speakers. Additionally, three supplementary virtual meetings will be held annually. We plan to collaborate with ASEAN countries to organize joint academic conferences, structured as pre-congress meetings before our annual conference. Furthermore, we will conduct regional academic outreach programs in collaboration with provincial medical centers, combining medical services and public health education for local communities, scheduled 1-2 times annually.
3. Social Leadership and International Recognition
   We will promote both national and international research collaborations, with the association serving as a facilitator for joint research initiatives. This includes establishing a national registry system for comprehensive data collection. We will utilize social media platforms to provide academic knowledge to both members and the public, while addressing medical misinformation in various media.

*Note: Quality clinical practice guidelines must not only be evidence-based but also practical for their intended setting. Given the similar characteristics among ASEAN countries, we aim to develop joint Asian guidelines with ASEAN partners, targeting 1-2 guidelines annually. This initiative will require coordinated efforts between our International Relations and Academic Affairs committees.

Thailand has been honored to host the "7th APAGE Clinical Forum on Inflammatory Bowel Disease" in December 2026. While previous forums have been modest in scale, we envision elevating this event to new heights and creating a memorable experience. The forum will span 1-2 days, followed by our 3-day annual scientific meeting. This endeavor will require strong collaboration among our association, members, and supporters to showcase Thailand's capabilities.

In conclusion, these ambitious goals can only be achieved through the dedicated support of our faculty, members, and advisors. From my years of experience within the association, I have witnessed firsthand our strong foundation of unity, dedication, and mutual support, guided by the wisdom of our advisory board. I am privileged to serve an association distinguished by its academic excellence, ethical standards, and solidarity. Our association truly embodies the spirit of family, bound by love and harmony.

On the occasion of the New Year, I pray that divine blessings bring happiness, success, and fulfillment to you and your families in all endeavors.

 

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Teerha Piratvisuth
President, Gastroenterological Association of Thailand
Term 2025-2026