From 11–16 April 2026, Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), led a delegation on an official visit to the Independent State of Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga with Professor Dr. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University; Professor Dr. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; a team of medical specialists from Siriraj, Ramathibodi, Banphaeo, and Vajira Hospitals; as well as representatives from the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington.

In Samoa, the TICA Director-General delivered medical equipment to Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, and held discussions with H.E. Mr. Motuopua‘a Henney Papalii, Deputy Minister of Health of Samoa, and the medical delegation, to follow up on the progress of health cooperation. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Ms. Peseta Noumea Simi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa, to strengthen the nearly 50-year-old Thailand - Samoa diplomatic relations, while also exploring bilateral and regional cooperation opportunities, including extending an invitation to Samoa to participate in the 6th Thailand - Pacific Islands Forum (TPIF), to be hosted by Thailand in April 2026. In addition, the Thai medical specialists conducted cardiac consultations and treatment planning for over 60 Samoan patients at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, and performed more than 30 surgical procedures, including general surgery, cleft lip and palate repair, and prostate surgery. The medical team remains in Samoa for an additional period to perform further prostate surgeries, with an estimated 30 - 35 additional cases.

In Tonga, the TICA Director-General was granted a royal audience with H.R.H. Princess Sinaitakala Tuku‘aho, Crown Princess of Tonga, to present views on avenues for supporting cooperation on cocoa cultivation in Tonga. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Dr. Reynold ‘Ofanoa, CEO of the Ministry of Health of Tonga. They also visited Vaiola Hospital and held discussions with the hospital’s executives to advance cooperation in medical personnel development.