Thailand’s P&O and rehabilitation community prepares to welcome the world at ISPO 2027
For the first time, the ISPO World Congress is coming to Southeast Asia. From 22 to 25 March 2027, Thailand’s growing prosthetics & orthotics community will bring around five decades of experience, strong regional connections and new perspectives into the global exchange on assistive technology. Local experts explain why Bangkok is the right place for the congress’s first edition in Southeast Asia – and what international participants can gain from being part of it. Registration is now open.
Held every two years in a different host country, the ISPO World Congress is the leading global event for prosthetics, orthotics, assistive technology and rehabilitation. The 2027 edition aims to welcome 2,500 participants, connecting science, clinical and technical practice, education, policy and industry.
Following previous editions in countries including Sweden, Mexico, Japan, South Africa and India, the World Congress will take place in Thailand for the first time from 22 to 25 March 2027 – marking its debut in Southeast Asia. The choice of Bangkok offers an opportunity to broaden international exchange and give greater visibility to knowledge and experience from across the region.
“Taking the ISPO World Congress to different regions of the world is central to our international mission. Bangkok gives our community the opportunity to listen to, learn from and connect with professionals across Southeast Asia, while bringing global expertise together in one place. This exchange is essential if progress in assistive technology is to respond to different needs and realities worldwide,” says Sandra Ramdial, President of ISPO and Chair of the ISPO 21st World Congress.
A host community with knowledge to share
Thailand has an established history in prosthetics and orthotics, while the profession and its role within rehabilitation continue to develop. Hosting the World Congress will allow the country’s P&O community to share its expertise with international colleagues and, at the same time, gain new impulses from international research, clinical and technical practice, education and industry.
“P&O in Thailand is a growing field, and we have around 50 years of experience that we want to share with the world,” says Dr Gulapar Srisawasdi, Advisor to the Local Organising Committee. “Thailand is a well-connected place that can bring people together.”
Thailand’s experience is particularly relevant to the congress theme, “A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity” . As a middle-income country with links to healthcare communities across Southeast Asia, it provides a fitting setting in which to discuss how innovation can be translated into appropriate and accessible services under different economic, clinical and structural conditions.
Regional expertise on a global stage
The World Congress will create a global platform for the knowledge, practical experience and perspectives of professionals from Thailand and neighbouring countries. In turn, it will bring international expertise, research and new partnerships to the region.
“It is a huge honour for us to host this World Congress. It is the first time the event will come to Thailand and Southeast Asia,” says Sirirat Seng-iad, President of ISPO Thailand and Chair of the Local Organising Committee. “We believe in the power of sharing, connection and collaboration. Our dream is to bring ‘A World Connected’ to life through exchange and to build lasting global collaboration.”
This two-way exchange offers international participants the opportunity to engage with approaches and realities that may receive less attention at events held in predominantly high-income regions. At the same time, professionals from Southeast Asia will gain direct access to international research, clinical expertise, technical developments and new partnerships.
Bangkok connects Southeast Asia with the global community
Bangkok’s international accessibility and its position within Southeast Asia make it a well-connected meeting point.
“The congress will be a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange within Southeast Asia,” says Mark Woolsey, Vice Chair of the Local Organising Committee. “Bangkok is a gateway to the region, and the event can help strengthen Thailand’s role as a hub for professional exchange.”
For clinicians, technicians, researchers, educators and students, the Congress will offer new professional contacts and insights into different models of service delivery. Companies and exhibitors will also have the opportunity to present their technologies and solutions directly to professionals from Thailand, Southeast Asia and the wider Asian region.
“You cannot underestimate the power of face-to-face interaction,” Woolsey adds. “For exhibitors, this is an invaluable opportunity to showcase their innovations to people within the region and across Greater Asia.”
Professional exchange meets Thai hospitality
Alongside the scientific, technical and industry exchange, the Local Organising Committee is preparing cultural and social activities that will introduce international participants to Thailand beyond the congress programme.
“Our team is working hard on the Congress logistics, programme details and cultural events,” says Sirirat Seng-iad. “We hope that all participants will take home not only new knowledge and connections, but also lasting memories of Thai culture and hospitality.”
The ISPO 21st World Congress will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 22 to 25 March 2027. Professionals working in prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, assistive technology and rehabilitation services can now register to attend.
Registration is now open at http://www.ispo-congress.com/participant-registration .
Thailand is getting ready for ISPO 2027: Representatives of the Thai P&O and rehabilitation community, ISPO and the World Congress team are working together to welcome the global community to Bangkok. Pictured from left to right: Sirirat Seng-iad, Nisarat Opartkiattikul, Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Sandra Ramdial and Gulapar Srisawasdi. Photo: ISPO International
About the ISPO World Congress
The ISPO World Congress is the premier global event of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and a leading platform for international collaboration in rehabilitation and assistive technology.
ISPO is a global, multidisciplinary, non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving quality of life for people who benefit from prosthetic, orthotic and mobility assistive technologies. With more than 3,000 professionals from over 100 countries, the society connects prosthetists, orthotists, surgeons, therapists, engineers and educators working to advance mobility and rehabilitation worldwide.
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About ISPO World Congress and the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)
