History of the Association

In late 2008, a group of physicians and medical personnel with an interest in sleep disorders came together. Initially, they met to exchange academic discussions and share insights regarding sleep-related diseases. Over time, the group reached a consensus on the necessity of establishing a professional association to serve as a central hub for supporting education, training, and research on sleep disorders.

As a result, the association was officially founded and registered on November 9, 2009, under the Thai name "สมาคมโรคจากการหลับแห่งประเทศไทย" and the English name "Sleep Society of Thailand." The first president of the association was Professor Dr. Prapal Yongchaiyudh.

The emblem of the association features a closed eye during sleep, with colors inspired by the Thai national flag. This symbolizes that while sleep disorders can occur, solutions are always available. The colors of the emblem represent the association as a national organization representing Thailand.

Over the past three years, the association has organized various academic activities, including:

• The 1st Annual Scientific Conference, titled “How Should We Approach Sleep Disorders,” held on April 21-22, 2009, at Bangkok Lung Hospital.
• The 2nd Annual Scientific Conference, titled “Sleep Medicine from A... to... Z,” held on October 4-5, 2010, at Phramongkutklao Hospital.
• Four hands-on training workshops for sleep technicians.

Additionally, the association conducted the first certification examination for physicians specializing in sleep disorders in September 2010. This exam was a collaboration between the Sleep Society of Thailand and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Physicians who passed the examination (list available for verification) received a certification, affirming their expertise at an international standard.

Beyond promoting sleep medicine knowledge among doctors, the association has also recognized the severe shortage of sleep testing facilities in Thailand. This shortage has resulted in many patients being unable to access diagnostic services, with some institutions having waiting times of up to one year. The primary cause of this issue is the lack of trained personnel who can conduct and interpret sleep studies. These technicians require specialized training and extensive practical experience to become proficient.

To address this, the association has organized multiple hands-on training sessions and established a national certification examination for sleep technicians in Thailand. The first group of seven advanced-level sleep technicians (list available for verification) was certified in September 2010, followed by fourteen basic-level technicians (list available for verification) in March 2011. These efforts ensure a standardized and internationally recognized level of expertise among sleep technicians across the country.

Evolution of Sleep Medicine in Thailand