Press Release
Announcement of the Prince Mahidol Laureates 2018
On 21 November 2018, the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage (PMAF) held a joint press conference at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, to announce the 27th Prince Mahidol Laureates for 2018 in the field of Medicine and Public Health. Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in the capacity of the Chair of the PMAF Public Relations Sub-Committee, together with Professor Prasith Wattanapa, Deputy Chairperson of the PMAF, Professor Supat Vanichyakarn, Secretary-General of the PMAF, Professor Vicharn Panich, Chair of the International Awards Committee, H.E. Mr. Staffan Herrström, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, and Mr. Peter Haymond, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the United States of America, were present at the press conference.
This year, the Prince Mahidol Award in the field of Medicine is awarded to Professor Brian J. Druker, M.D. and Professor Dr. Mary-Claire King from the United States of America.
Professor Brian J. Druker made a significant research discovery in the field of targeted cancer therapy. He developed a prototype drug called “Imatinib” for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Professor Mary-Clair King discovered a gene causing breast cancer, the most common cancer among women. Each year, there are over 2 million new cases of breast cancer resulting in 200,000 deaths.
These findings demonstrate the high impact of basic research, diagnosis, and treatment of common cancers, and thus improves the quality of life for mankind and reduces the mortality rates of CML and breast cancer among millions of people worldwide.
The Prince Mahidol Award in the field of Public Health is awarded to Professor John D. Clemens, from the United States of America, and Professor Jan R. Holmgren from the Kingdom of Sweden.
Professor John D. Clemens and Professor Jan Holmgren worked jointly for over 30 years to study and develop oral cholera vaccine (OCV). A significant discovery from basic research and clinical test regarding vaccines against cholera has been approved by WHO. They have made a great impact by recommending that cholera vaccines be provided orally rather than injected. This has also led to the establishment of an OCV stockpile to support countries at risk of or affected by the spread of cholera to help save the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the Presentation Ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Award 2018 on 31 January 2019 at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, Bangkok.
Announcement of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2018
On 21 September 2018, the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage held a joint press conference at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, to announce the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2018. On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Tassana Boontong, Deputy Chairperson and Secretary – General of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation, together with Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information, Mrs. Nathaya Beokhaimook, Vice President of VVIP/VIP Travel Management and Planning Department, Thai Airways International PLC, Mr. Titiporn Jutimanon, Director of Channel 9 MCOT HD and Ms. Karn Puntuhong, Director of Public Relations of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, were present at the press conference.
The Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2018 will be held on 17 October 2018, at 16.00 hrs., at the Royal Palace. The ceremony will be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn.
This year, the Princess Srinagarindra Award 2018 is awarded to Professor Emeritus Dr. Afaf I. Meleis from the United States of America for her contribution to nursing, healthcare, and public health. Throughout her career, Dr. Meleis has demonstrated her continued dedication and perseverance in advancing nursing science, cultivating the next generation of healthcare leaders, advocating health and well-being of women around the world, particularly ensuring that the voice of vulnerable groups are recognised, particularly women who are burdened by societal inequities.
Dr. Meleis has invested her efforts in setting up a doctoral degree programme in nursing which later became the model for doctoral-level nursing curricula around the world. She has played an important role in the development of doctoral nursing education, including Doctor of Nursing Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and ensured that they attain a level of excellence. Moreover, she also served as advisor and lecture to numerous nursing schools in countries around the world, including Australia, Sweden, Brazil and in the Middle East.
In addition, she was also an advisor and lecturer for a doctoral degree programme in nursing at Mahidol University, Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University and Prince of Songkla University.
Announcement of the results of the "75th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations Logo Design Contest"
Announcement of the results of the "75th Anniversary of Thai-Philippine Diplomatic Relations Logo Design Contest" under the theme "Moving Forward to a New Era of Closer Friendship and Common Prosperity" (ร่วมแรง รวมใจ รุ่งเรือง).
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Philippine diplomatic relations and to enhance the good relations between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Thailand, organized a logo design contest under the theme “Moving Forward to a New Era of Closer Friendship and Common Prosperity” (ร่วมแรง รวมใจ รุ่งเรือง), with over 360 participants.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Thailand are pleased to announce the winners of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Philippine diplomatic relations logo design contest as follows:
Competition Winner
Mr. Veerasak Sotipravati
Honorable Mentions (4 awards)
Mr. Kenosis Fuentes Jabiniao
Mr. MarBert Lio Taguba
Mr. Surattanachai Chueenta
Mr. Kornkat Chaiyant
The award ceremony will be held in June 2567.
Announcement of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2019
Announcement of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2019
On 10 September 2019, the members of the Board of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage held a joint press conference at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, to announce the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2019. On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Tassana Boontong, Secretary – General of the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation, together with Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mrs. Nathaya Beokhaimook, Vice President of VVIP/VIP Travel Management and Planning Department, Thai Airways International PLC, Mr. Kematat Paladesh, Director of Channel 9 MCOT HD and Ms. Patama Lerdwittayasku, Director of communications of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, were also present at the press conference.
This year, the Princess Srinagarindra Award 2019 is awarded to Professor Dr. Serara Segarona Kupe – Mogwe from the Republic of Botswana and to Professor Emeritus Junko Kondo from Japan for their contribution to nursing, midwifery, and healthcare.
Dr. Kupe – Mogwe has demonstrated a leading role in improving the quality of health services by developing professional nursing and midwife in Botswana by establishing the National Health Manpower Training Institute for the first time in the country to train health professionals, mostly nurses. Despite the limited resources, Dr. Kupe – Mogwe coordinated and received support from the World Health Organization. She focused on human resource development to empower the nursing and midwife profession which is the occupation of most women in Botswana. Dr. Kupe – Mogwe founded the Nursing Association of Botswana in 1969, which later changed to the Nursing Union of Botswana. This has led to the empowerment of women and enhanced the status of nursing profession in the country. Throughout her career, Dr. Kupe – Mogwe helped establish various nursing and midwifery organisations in numerous countries around the world.
Professor Emeritus Kondo has demonstrated her leadership and devotion to the development of education in nursing and midwifery in Japan, Egypt, and countries in Africa. By highlighting the importance and necessity of a master's degree in Nursing Science in Japan in order for more efficient public healthcare, she successfully contributed to the establishment of a Master and Doctoral programmes in Nursing Science. She was also the pioneer in modern midwifery and established the Midwife Association of Japan. Her dedication to the profession has led to the improvement in the quality of nursing and midwifery and greatly benefitted the health of mothers, children, and the people at large.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn will preside over the Princess Srinagarindra Award Ceremony 2019 on 7 October 2019, at 16.00 hrs., at the Mulasathan Boroma Asana Hall in the Royal Palace.
Announcement of the Successful Candidate for the Position of Executive Assistant to the Ambassador
