15 Dec 2025
Spiritual-medical humanitarian project promotes Thai Soft Power and Health & Wellness expertise
A combined medical-spiritual humanitarian project by Thai doctors and Buddhist monks has alleviated the mental, physical and societal suffering of dozens of underprivileged families in Sri Lanka. Between 15-21 November 2025, a medical team from Thailand’s eminent Siriraj hospital, completed 111 knee replacement operations for 79 patients from low-income families, restoring their mobility, independence and will to live.
Thanks to the advanced know-how of some of the world’s leading knee replacement surgeons, and the efforts of the Buddhist clergy, Thai and Sri Lankan diplomats, government officials and the private sector, many patients were ecstatic to take their first assisted steps within hours of the surgery at Kandy General Hospital.
“I looked them in the eye and it touched my heart. It is a miracle. That is our greatest reward,” says the lead surgeon Dr. Keerati Chareancholvanich, Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Siriraj. “These are people who had no hope. Some wanted to kill themselves as their families had no budget to take care of them. Now, they can walk again and regain the Love of Humanity.”
Added the Most Venerable Anil Sakya, Representative of the Buddhist Sangha and Assistant Abbot of Wat Bovoranives Vihara, a royal monastery, “Lokaṃ upaṭṭhāti mettā — the world can be sustained only through loving-kindness. And this joint effort between Sri Lanka and Thailand is a shining example to the world of how we can be true world citizens. Though geographically distant, our hearts are very close, and we take care of each other.”
The “Love for Humanity” project has been initiated by the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, in collaboration with the Thai Sangha represented by the distinguished monks, the Most Venerable Inthawutai Santussako, Most Venerable Sutham Sudhammo, and Most Venerable Brahmasakyawongvisudh (Anil Sakya).
Thailand is a world leader in the field of Orthopedic Surgery. In an interview, Dr Keerati said about 12,000 knee operations are conducted nationwide annually. About 10 years ago, the Orthopedic surgery team at Siriraj felt that it was time to help the Thai rural poor, especially those facing long waits for knee surgery. The team then began visiting different parts of Thailand to perform free operations. Today, it does about 1,000 charity operations nationwide annually.
In 2019, the team undertook its first venture abroad, to Lumbini, Nepal, birthplace of the Lord Buddha, where they performed 30 operations. In 2024, after the Covid-19 crisis, the team visited Bhutan, performing 79 surgeries in honour of the 72nd birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn. That garnered considerable support from the Bhutan’s royal family, and included an academic conference to share knowledge and expertise.
This year, Sri Lanka was chosen as a royal merit-making tribute to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on her 70th birthday, and also mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka.
In his personal journal on the Sri Lankan trip, MV Anil Sakya noted that some of the operations were particularly challenging. One involved a patient who had undergone knee surgery three years ago but continued to suffer due to a persistent infection. The corrective procedure required considerable effort, but the team successfully restored the knee’s condition. Another six women had severe leg deformities, all of whom achieved complete correction to normal alignment.
MV Anil Sakya recounted, “Patients from the first day were already able to walk up and down staircases with confidence. Many moved around the ward without walkers. Several shared that during previous knee surgeries elsewhere, they had been bedridden for more than a week before attempting their first – often painful – steps. This time, they were astonished to find themselves walking shortly after surgery, free from pain. Sinhala nurses expressed similar amazement, delighted to witness such rapid recovery – something they had never thought possible.”
He exulted, “After the procedures, I spoke with several elderly women who had endured debilitating pain for more than 15 years. With radiant smiles, they offered blessings again and again: “May the power of the Buddha protect and bless you.” Their gratitude was profoundly touching – a memory that will remain etched in my heart.”
A shining example of Thai “Soft Power” and leadership in Health and Wellness, the project is also a consummate merger of body, mind and spirit. The doctors, nurses, and physiotherapy team focus on healing the body, while the Venerable monk and Sangha team focus on healing the mind – offering encouragement, support and care before and after the surgery, and staying by the patients’ side to comfort and uplift them.
Also facilitating the myriad of organisational arrangements were Mr Paitoon Mahapannaporn, Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mrs Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Thailand, Dr. R. A. Kapila K. Ranasinghe, President of the Sri Lanka Orthopaedic Association, and Dr. (Mrs.) Erasha Fernando, Director of the National Hospital Kandy.
Dr Keerati said each trip involves 10 months of preparations. Firstly, the fitness level of each patient has to be ascertained, followed by lab tests and X-rays. The risk level also depends on the age of the patient and the extent of the deformity. Those who have been waiting for a long time also get priority. Demand was very heavy, and due to time and medical considerations, the number of patients had to be limited.
He stressed that in accordance with Buddhist principles, the operations are performed on patients across all faiths — Muslims, Hindus and Christians.
He said about 5,000 kgs of medical equipment has to be transported, along with a team of anaesthesiologists, nurses and other medical personnel. Each operation takes about 90 minutes. In Siriraj, each team performs upto a maximum of three to four operations per day. In Sri Lanka, two teams of 13 surgeons performed an unprecedented seven operations a day.
The missions included physiotherapy programmes to accelerate and sustain recovery as well as training and mentorship for local doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, In Bhutan, for example, local doctors — after training with the Siriraj team — have initiated surgical services to remote communities. In Sri Lanka, the Thai team conducted training and workshops for medical professionals nationwide.
Millions of baht worth of funding for the “Love for Humanity” missions comes from the Thai public, raised through the Buddhist temples, as well as the Thai government, the Thai Royal Family and Siriraj hospital. Some private companies donate the implants at no cost. Freight forwarding companies also help.
Requests for future missions have been received from Laos, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Dr Keerati said the only other Thai medical sector which does similar humanitarian work that he knows of are the ophthalmologists.
He said 2026 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand (RCOST). It now boasts 3,338 members, with a small but growing number of female surgeons. He is happy that Thailand attracts patients from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Many foreign students are also attending classes at Siriraj.
He proudly asserted that Thailand’s medical facilities are world-class because every doctor follows the dictum of the late Thai monarch, His Majesty King Rama IX the Great, that true success lies not in level of education itself but in how it is applied for the benefit of mankind.
In his remarks at a training seminar following the Sri Lankan mission, MV Anil Sakya said, “This mission stands upon a foundation far deeper than medical technique. Thailand and Sri Lanka share centuries of Buddhist ties – from monastic exchanges to the revival of the Siam Nikaya, to the preservation and dissemination of the Dhamma. Even the printing of Buddhist texts in both our countries has a shared history of mutual support. On behalf of the Sangha – Thai and Sri Lankan – and on behalf of every person touched by this mission, I express my deepest appreciation to all medical professionals, administrators, and the National Hospital Kandy for opening its doors and opening its heart. May today’s seminar strengthens your expertise, deepen the friendship between our nations, and bring continued healing and hope to countless elders.”
After an exhausting three days of surgery, the doctors and their families spent a few days exploring Sri Lanka’s important cultural and natural attractions.
MV Anil Sakya stayed on for six days to visit important Buddhist sites. Before leaving for Bangkok, he returned once more to the National Hospital to visit the patients. This memory he will cherish forever: “One elderly woman even broke into song and danced joyfully on her bed, celebrating her newfound mobility.”
ABOUT MV ANIL SAKYA: Originally from Nepal, MV Anil Sakya is one of Thailand’s most recognised monks, known for his dedication to promoting well-being, happiness and ethical governance. He is a popular speaker at business and international management and development forums where he discusses integrating Buddhist principles into contemporary global challenges. His work continues to inspire both academic circles and broader society worldwide. Click here for a more detailed biodata.
ABOUT DR KEERATI: Born in a humble family of fabric vendors in Chon Buri, Dr Keerati did his early schooling in that coastal resort province before moving to Bangkok where attended Bodindecha School. Despite their own limited schooling, his parents strongly believed in the value of education and encouraged their children to focus solely on their studies. Click here for his full biodata.
More information is available here (in Thai only)
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