Thammasat med students shine at KKU ICEM 2026 with gold and team honors

A team of medical students from Thammasat University has made its mark at the 10th KKU ICEM 2026 competition. Chawit Wanamongkol took home the gold medal in the individual category, while the university's team also earned the second runner-up prize. The event tested skills in emergency medicine, including life-saving techniques and teamwork under pressure.

The competition, held at Khon Kaen University, focused on Adult and Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS/PALS 2025 guidelines) as well as common emergency scenarios. Participants faced three challenging rounds: Preliminary, Semi-Final, and a simulation-based Final using mannequins. Thammasat's team included sixth-year students Chawit Wanamongkol, Pheem Phongsukwechakul, and Supapitch Subenja, alongside fifth-year student Thorntarathip Singthong.

Wanamongkol later shared his admiration for emergency physicians, calling them—alongside radiologists and pathologists—'unsung heroes' of medicine. He highlighted their ability to stabilise patients quickly while handling a wide range of cases. For him, the qualities of a strong emergency doctor are clear: they must stay calm, act swiftly, and remain meticulous. He also stressed the critical role of teamwork in medicine. No single physician, he noted, can fully treat a patient without the support of others. This belief aligns with the collaborative nature of the competition itself.

Wanamongkol's gold medal and the team's second runner-up finish reflect their dedication to emergency medicine. The competition reinforced the importance of both individual skill and coordinated effort in high-pressure medical situations. Thammasat's students have now set a benchmark for future participants in the field.