Newsletter    Relief Supplies for Sichuan Quake Victims             The Thai Red Cross is sending 166 canvas tents to support the Chinese Red Cross provide shelter for the Sichuan earthquake victims.  Most of the tents are being transported by ship but 16 tents and a number of daily necessities kits weighing together three tons will be sent by a Thai International flight to Chengdu on Wednesday  18 June 2008.  Each tent is square in shape measuring 3.60 x 1.80 x 2.30 meters with an entrance and two windows.  The tent is waterproof and heat resistant.   The tents are donated at the command of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross.             Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross, and  a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok will be at the Suvarnabhumi Airport for the handing over ceremony.  The Thai Consul General and representatives of the Chinese Red Cross will be at Chengdu airport to receive the consignment.             After the earthquake struck, the Thai Red Cross donated US$ 100,000 financial assistance.  H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has also personally donated US$ 100,000.. Orientation Session for Newly Recruited Personals Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society presided over the opening of the Second Orientation Session provided for the Thai Red Cross Society’s newly Recruited Personals of 2008 fiscal year at the National Blood Center and Center for Human Resources Development, Thai Red Cross Society, Petchburi Province, by the Office of Personals from 15-16 May 2008. Drinking Water Donation Lt. Gen. Amnat Baelee, Director of the Relief and Public Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society and Mrs. Pongpan Udomsin, Vice-Chairperson of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Surin Province and their party distributed drinking water to drought affected villagers at Bann Nonsagha, Sunkla District, Surin Province. Red Cross Seminar Thai Red Cross Youth Bureau and the First Aid and Home Healthcare Training Center, Thai Red Cross Society organized a seminar on First Aid Experts’ Assessment and developed the project on capacity building for the Red Cross youth volunteers in the 6 provinces of the South of Thailand affected by the Tsunami from 8-10 April 2008 at Metropol Hotel, Phuket. Cash and Blood Donations Mr. Panu Uthairat, Governor of Pattani Province, the Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Pattani received cash and other necessities donations at the Red Cross Chapter of Pattani Charity Day at the Residence of the Governor of Pattani Province. They also received blood donations at Pattani’s Administrative Office on Civil Servant Day during which they collected a total of 30,150 cc’s. of blood from 67 donors. Visit underprivileged people The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Phuket visited and distributed basic necessities to Miss Bantitha Somjai who has been granted a scholarship from Phuket Red Cross Chapter given her family’s extreme poverty. Ratchaburi Province Cash Donations he Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Ratchaburi celebrated the founding of the Thai Red Cross Society at the Care Center for Mentally Retarded Children by hosting lunch, distributed basic necessities and donated 2,000 baht to 93 children. Baht 1,000 and 1 essential care package were also donated to Mr. Boonsong Kotchasuth and his family at Tambon Soi Fa, Umphoe Photaram, Ratchaburi Province. Nonthaburi Province Visit and Distribute Essential Care Package The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nonthaburi visited and distributed essential care package to Mrs. Chuen Chang-0n whose house was built with the help of the Red Cross. They also visited and distributed an essential care package to Mrs. Jae Tomju, a Lymphedema patient under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. Thai relief team flies to Myanmar A relief team comprising 30 doctors and nurses from the Thai Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Public Health flew to Myanmar on Saturday 17th May. Eleven members of the team recruited from doctors and nurses from the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and the Relief and Community Health Bureau of the Thai Red Cross Society. In accordance with a request from the Myanmar authorities, the relief team has been working in several affected areas to provide medical treatment to the victims and will remain for 14 days. The team also took with them about 8 tons of equipment and materials urgently needed for medical care and surgery. The operation of the team in the country was facilitated by the Myanmar authorities and the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Attends 288th Thai Red Cross Council's Meeting           On 17 March 2008, 14.00 hrs., HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society, visited the Red Cross College of Nursing, Thai Red Cross Society and granted an audience at the Sakarintarapakdi Building to samaritans and benefactors of the Thai Red Cross Society, awarding them with the Red Cross Medals, First Class. Certificates and honorary member pins were also presented to heirs of eye donors as well as heirs of donors of other organs who passed away. On this occasion, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also granted an audience to patrons of the Thai Red Cross who made monetary donations to support the activities of the Thai Red Cross Society. Her Royal Highness also awarded Red Cross Medals of Appreciation the heir of Mr. Bol Kocharach and the heir of Mr. Samrouy Pongpanich, who lost their lives trying to rescue Mrs. Buajee Buakerd from being robbed. The event was followed by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granting an audiences to donors, supporters and members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter, benefactors of the Red Cross Fair, 100 times blood donors, stem cell donors, and heirs of eyes and organ donors, who were awarded by the Red Cross Medals, First Class, certificates and honorary member pins by Her Royal Highness. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn then proceeded to the Terd Prakiat Building to chair the 288th Thai Red Cross Council's Meeting . During the meeting, various issues were discussed, including the project on community disasters' risk management, relief efforts for fire and winter victims, operation of ophthalmologist mobile unit under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, opticians for eyeglasses prescription/ visual correction mobile unit for students in rural areas, a summary report on "Information Technology Project for King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital's Child Patients" 2010, the establishment of Provincial Red Cross Chapter. Nam Thip for Red Cross           Lt. Gen. Amnat Baelee, Director of the Relief and Public Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society, Mr. Veera Akraphutiporn, Member of the Board of Coca Cola Foundation Thailand, co-chaired the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding on "Nam Thip for Red Cross". The objective of the MOU is to extend support to Tsunami victims by supplying Thip drinking water, vehicles, staffs and volunteer from the Foundation's 80 branches all over the country. The ceremony was held at the Relief and Public Health Center, Thai Red Cross Society on 13 March 2008. Chinese Red Cross's Visit           Dr. Arunrat Chankajornfung, Assistant Director of the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society, welcomed 10 representatives from the Red Cross Society of China, led by Mr. Wang Haijing, Secretary General of the Red Cross Society of China, who were visiting the National Blood Center at the Chalermprakiat Building. Visit Elderly People           Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Prachinburi visited elderly people and provided them with essential care packages. Baht 1,500 was also donated to Mrs. Yam Pulswasdi, a 95 year-old lady residing at 34 Moo1 Tambon Sampan, Amphoe Srimahaphoe and Mr. Chai Karouy, aged 72, residing at 29 Moo 4, Tambon Sampan, Amphoe Srimahaphoe, Prajinburi. Phitsanulok Province Blankets and Winter Clothes Distribution           Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Phitsanulok distributed 500 blankets to local people at the Administrative Office, Tambon Ban Klang, Amphoe Wangthong, Phitsanulok Province. Students of the Frontier Policemen School at Bann Nuchthien, Moo 7, Tambon Bor Pak, Amphoe Charttrakarn, also received winter clothes. Official Signing Project Agreement           On 18 February 2008, Prof. Pinit Kullavanija, M.D. Director of Red Cross Youth and representative of American Red Cross signed a project agreement for implementation of Thai Red Cross First aid and the Development of Thai Red Cross Youth Volunteers Project in 6 southern provinces of Thailand affected by Tsunami. Handover of relief supplies to Lao Red Cross Luang Prabang Branch           On 20 February 2008 a Thai Red Cross delegation led by Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General together with Mrs. Chanpen Musigavong, Chairperson of Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nong Kai handed over 3 containers of relief supplies consisting of clothing, blankets and mosquito nets to Lao Red Cross Luang Prabang Branch in response to the request of the branch. The relief goods in value of 79,000 Baht was donated to help poor people in the remote areas especially in cold and rainy seasons.           In this regard, Dr. Snivourast Sramany, the President of Lao Red Cross represented the Society to receive the relief supplies 86th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thai Red Cross Youth Society           H.R.H. Princess Soamsavali presided over the oath-taking ceremony of the Thai Red Cross Youth Volunteers from central and regional locations on occasion of the 86th anniversary of the establishment of the Thai Red Cross Youth Society. Held at the Supachalasai National Stadium, Pathumwan, Bangkok on 27 January 2008 and attended by some 6,000 members, this event provided an opportunity for commanders and ordinary members to commemorate the founder of the Thai Red Cross Youth Society. On this occasion, H.R.H. Princess Soamsavali presented the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Cup to the school that won the melodian band competition as well as honor plaques to 35 people in recognition of their support for the Thai Red Cross Youth Society's activities.             During the occasion, H.R.H. Princess Soamsavali delivered a speech which, among other things, "encouraged all youth volunteers to devote themselves to training so as to become competent youth volunteers and contribute to society. The Thai Red Cross Youth Society was established on 27 January 1922 by HRH Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand. Inspired by foreign Red Cross Societies' establishment of Red Cross youth societies with a view to cultivate a sense of kindness and humanity among the youth, HRH Prince Sukhumbhand deemed it appropriate for the Thai Red Cross Society to follow suit…" Donation Received           Mr. Kajorn Chiaravanont, Executive Committee member of True Corporation PLC., led a group of AF 4 artists to donate proceeds from the Academy Fantasia 4 competition totalling 4,502,043.00 baht to the Thai Red Cross Eye Bank. Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society received the donation on behalf of Thai Red Cross Eye Bank at Terdprakiart Building on 1 February 2008. Sea Search and Rescue Advanced Course           The First Aid and Home Healthcare Training Center, Thai Red Cross Society, organized the Advanced Sea Search and Rescue Training Course with the cooperation of the Norwegian Red Cross, the Swedish Red Cross, the Finnish Red Cross as well as the competent Thai agencies concerned, namely, the Royal Thai Navy, the Marine Police, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and the Marine Department of the Ministry of Transportation. The project aims to provide sea search and rescue and emergency preparedness exercises. The training course was given to volunteers from Pangha and Ranong provinces to build their capacity in searching and rescuing sea victims as well as in effectively handling emergency and crisis situations in the community. The training course was held at the Ranong Coastline Research Center, Ranong Province, from 14-17 January 2008. Red Cross on Children Day 2008      Saturday 12 January 2008 was Children's Day, during which a variety of activities were organized by many of the Thai Red Cross Society's organizations. The Thai Red Cross Museum organized events to educate children on the history of the museum as well as on the activities of the Thai Red Cross Society. Many children found creativity outlets in form of ten activity stations where they used their imagination to paint, learned about first aid, learned how to save the world, made their own pins, etc. The Thai Red Cross youth volunteers were also on hand to help their younger peers. Gifts and food were also provided by the Museum to every child at the event. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute also opened up its snake farm and its newly renovated Four Snakes Building on Children's Day, providing them with a chance to learn about the mystery and the habit of snakes. A mesmerizing snake show and snake venom detoxifying demonstration were also held. The Khao Lan Thai Red Cross Museum in Trad Province organized a number of activities for youngster, including a parachute jump demonstration, a display of armaments from the Royal Thai Marines and a painting contest. Food and gifts were also provided to children participating in the event.        H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society, granted an audience at the Terdprakiart Building to Mr. Wanchai Jiratiwat, Chairman of Central Group, and his party during which Mr. Wanchai donated five cars for the use of the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society, in collecting blood donations. Mrs. Ladawan Ruammek and her party totaling eight people were granted an audience by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during which they donated a van for the use of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society. Mr. Daniel E. Lyons, Chairman and Managing Director of Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, and his party of two people were granted an audience by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, during which they donated one refrigerated van for blood transportation for the use of the National Blood Center. Pol. Maj. Gen. Viraj Vanijaka, Chairman of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, and his party of four people were granted an audience by Her Royal Highness, during which they donated a van for the use of the Organ Donation Center, Thai Red Cross Society. Yasothon Province Humanitarian activity of Red Cross Chapter The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Yasothon visited the family of Mrs. Sagna Srikamsai, a poor, blind elderly woman at 29, Tambon in Mueng Yasothon, Yasothon Province, and the family of Mrs. Luen Wonganan, an underprivileged woman at 718, Tambon Lumpuk, Umphoe Kamkuenkaew, Yasothon Province, providing them with monetary donations and basic necessities. Nong Bua Lampoo Province Receive Blood Donations The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nong Bua Lampoo went on a tour to receive blood donations at the Conference Hall, Umphoe Sriboonrueng, Nong Bua Lampoo Province. The tour received a total of 53,100 cc's. of blood from 177 donors. Nakhon Sawan Province Receive Blood Donations The Committee of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nakhon Sawan conducted a Blood, Eyes and Organ Donation Project to honor His Majesty the King at the Atcharalai Conference Hall, Nakhon Sawan Girls School, Umphoe Mueng, Nakhon Sawan Province. The project was a great success with a total of 18 eye donors and 17 organ donors. 111,300 cc's of blood were also collected. The 4 Maseng Building (4 Snakes Building) In 1929, four members of the Royal Family, namely, HRH Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand, H.H.Prince Burachatchaiyakorn, H.H. Princess Sasipongpraphai and H.H. Princess Pissamipimolsat, jointly held a merit-making ceremony to celebrate their 4th snake year cycle of the 12-year Chinese zodiac. Supported by friends and relatives, the Princes established a fund under the name of "The 4 Snakes Fund", proceeds from which the Thai Red Cross Society would use to provide medical care for people suffering from venomous animal bites. Later on, the Princes gave permission to allocate part of the fund for the construction of a building in the premises of the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute. The building has been used for the incubation of marine venomous creatures such as sea snakes. It also serves as a museum for venomous and non-venomous animals to educate the public. The Thai Red Cross Society oversaw the construction of the building and named it " 4 Maseng Building". The opening ceremony was presided over by the Princes on 20 February 1930. Since its inception, the 4 Maseng Building has served the public by providing useful information and health care. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a Collaborating Centre for Venomous Snake Toxicology and Research. Given its deteriorated condition, in 2006, the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute has constructed the new "4 Maseng Building". A five-storey building with 3,350 square metres of usable space, the building was built with a budget of 32 million baht allocated by the Government and 25.42 million baht from the Thai Red Cross Society. It is the considered to be one of the most advanced snake research centre in the country. Chinese Red Cross visited Thai Red Cross Ms. Anong Taweesup, Deputy Director of the Thai Red Cross First Aid and Health Care Training Centre, and academics welcomed representatives from the Sub-Center for First Aid Training of the Chinese Red Cross Society, Beijing, who came to observe the Thai Red Cross's first-aid training and exchanged views and experiences at the Conference Room of the Thai Red Cross Relief and Public Health Bureau on 4 January 2008. Thailand Mourns Princess Galyani Vadhana Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana passed away at 2:54 AM on 2 January 2008 at the age of 84. HRH Princess Galyani is lying in state at the Dusit Throne Hall. In order to pay last respects to the Princess, all offices of the Thai Red Cross have lowered their flags to half mast and officers are to dress in mourning for 100 days from 2 January 2008 onward. Intraocular Lenses Donation On 17 December 2007, Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society received 100 intraocular lenses from Dr. Navaporn Tachamaneesatit to support the Thai Red Cross Society's Princess Sirindhorn Eye Surgery Project. The Project aims to provide intraocular lens implants for underprivileged people with cataracts in remote provinces. Visits to the Thai Red Cross Society Prof. Damrong Reinprayoon, Director of the Red Cross Volunteers Bureau, welcomed and gave a talk to graduates from the Faculty of Public Health, International Program, Mahidol University during their visit to the office of the Thai Red Cross Society. Thai Sikh Organization reached out to draught victims On 11 December 2007, Lt. Gen. Amnat Baelee, M.D., Director of Relief and Community Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society received a 184,800 baht donation from the Thai Sikh Organization to purchase 21 water storage tanks as a contribution towards the Thai Red Cross Society's Project to Celebrate the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary at the Thai Red Cross Operation Center on Disaster Relief. Blanket Donation Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nakhon Ratchasima donated blankets, winter clothing as well as basic medical kits to 1,900 underprivileged people affected by the cold weather that struck many Amphoes in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, namely, Sida, Bualie, Pimai, Wang Namkeaw and Pakthongchai. Visit and Donate Money The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Kanchanaburi paid a visit and donated three essential care packages as well as 4,000 baht to support the education of children orphaned by the Tsunami. Provide Lunch The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Buri Ram participated in Father's Day celebrations on 5th December 2007, by giving basic necessities and hosting lunch for elderly people at the Care and Development Center for Elderly Citizens at Baan Buri Ram, Amphoe Mueng Buri Ram, Buri Ram Province. "Grant a Wish and Share the Warmth" Thai Red Cross Station #3, in cooperation with the Public Relations Section, Provincial Electricity Authority, North 1 Section, Chiang Mai and VESA Worker Team organized the "Grant a Wish and Share the Warmth" event for 27 local families totalling some 143 people at Baan Mae Jon, Tambon Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai on 10 December 2007. Thai Red Cross Station No. 3 along with Thai Red Cross's Mae Jam district branch and President of Tambon Administrative Organization, Amphoe Mae Jam, Chiang Mai Province, donated 200 pieces of winter clothing and basic medical kits to local people at Baan Pa Tueng, Tambon Changkeung, Amphoe Mae Jam, Chiang Mai, at the Inthanon Wittaya School on 3 December 2007. Thai Red Cross Society Officers and members of the Faculty of Medicine joined in Monk Food Offering and Received New Year blessings from the Secretary General As part of the New Year 2008 celebration, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, organized a food offering ceremony to 100 monks from Wat Thammongkol at Lan Leelawadee, on the premises of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on Friday 28 December 2007. Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society, presided over the event attended by members from the Faculty of Medicine as well as staff from the Thai Red Cross Society. This event takes place every year and has become a time honoured tradition of the Thai Red Cross Society. Mr. Phan Wannamethee took the opportunity to address the crowd by wishing them a happy new year and giving some food for thought which could be summarized as follows: First - We should assess our activities over the past year by asking ourselves what we should or should not have done and what contributions have we made. We should also consider whether there are any areas that we could improve ourselves. Such an exercise would provide us a clearer picture of our goals and what objectives we set ourselves to achieve in the following year. Second - We should be aware and in control of our consciousness at all times so as to be able to act calmly and organized. Third - The world has evolved very quickly. We must persevere and be patient enough to overcome obstacles, and Last - We must spend our time wisely. We should make the most out of our time not only for oneself, but also for the sake of one's family. After wishing all the staff a happy and prosperous year, the management and staff joined together in singing a number of songs, including the "Father of the Land", the "King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital" theme song and "New Year Blessings". The event was concluded in high spirit with staff drawing lots and enjoying breakfast together. The whole morning was not only entertaining, but also contributed to a greater sense of comradeship and to increased morale for all members of the Thai Red Cross Society. Flood Victims Relief Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society and his party, which included Mrs. Panit Suppakitvilekkarn, Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Narathiwat, distributed basic necessities to flood victims at Wat Lampu, Tumbon Lampu and North Baan Ta Se School, Tambon Su-ngai Padi, Amphoe Su-ngai Padi, Narathiwat Province. Quality of Life Mr. Suthana Theeveerapanya, Governor of Angthong, along with the Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Angthong, visited the family of Miss Anant Insuwan, providing them with a 4,000 baht donation, three sets of basic necessities and four infant necessities kits at 579, Moo 1, Tambon Norasingh, Umphoe Phamok, Angthong Province. Blood Donation Request The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Phuket toured the province to accept blood donations from the public, including students and university students at the Central Festival Department Store on 1 December 2007 and at the Girls School of Phuket. Donation and Essential Care Packages The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Surin gave money and an essential care package to Mrs. Sieng Makmanjai, a resident of Moo 9, Tambon Kokyang, Amphoe Prasart, Surin Province, who lost her house in a fire. Visit Disables The Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Kanchanaburi visited disabled people suffering from obesity, providing them with two essential care packages, two blankets and five kilos of rice with 3,000 baht donation to enable them to receive proper medical care from Tha Muang Hospital. Red Cross's Youth Volunteers' preparation for Tsunami emergency response On 12 December 2007 at 14.00 hrs., Mr. Sawanit Kongsiri, Thai Red Cross Society's Assistant Secretary General for External Relations, Prof. Pinit Kullavanija, Director of Red Cross Youth Bureau, Mr. Martin Fisher, representative from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Mr. Davis Andrew Strowbel, representative from American Red Cross and Mrs.Chuleeporn Patininnart, Director of Non-Formal Education Operations Promotion Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, gave a joint press conference on "Red Cross's Youth Volunteer's Preparation for Tsunami Emergency Response" at Conference Room 9th, National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society. Given the devastation of the Tsunami that had hit the south of Thailand at the end of 2004, the Red Cross Youth Bureau of the Thai Red Cross Society, First Aid and Home Health Care Training Center, in cooperation with the Office of the Non-Formal Education Commission (ONFEC) provided first aid training to students of ONFEC's Community Learning Center in six provinces in southern Thailand namely, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Trang and Satun, aimed at increasing the efficiency and skills of local youths in preparation for future natural disaster emergencies. The activity was launched at the end of 2004, funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with the objective of providing training to 6,800 youth and ONFEC students from 40 tambons (sub-districts) in the six provinces. Ceramic Sculpture from Japan Mr. Phan Wannamethee, Secretary General, and M.R. Priyangsri Watanakun, Assistant Secretary General for Fund Raising & Director of Fund Raising Bureau of the Thai Red Cross Society, received a 100,000 baht donation to support the activities of the Thai Red Cross Society from Mr. Shunzei Tani, a renowned artist from Japan at the opening of his ceramic sculpture exhibition entitled "IYASHI Japanese Art Exhibition Shunzei Collection". Junior Red Cross 2008 M.R. Priyangsri Watanakun, Assistant Secretary General for Fund Raising and Director of Fund Raising Bureau of the Thai Red Cross Society, and Dr. Pinit Kullavanija, Director of Red Cross Youth Bureau convened a meeting of the committee composed of eminent persons to select of male and female Junior Red Cross 2008. The Junior Red Cross must be well-behaved, accomplished, well-rounded and healthy as they will represent the Thai Red Cross Society and communicate with the public to promote the activities of the Thai Red Cross Society. Building Readiness for the Thai Red Cross Society's Volunteers Mr. Chamnong Sangmahachai, Assistant Secretary General for Personnel & Director of Human Resources Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society, held a seminar on "Readiness Preparation for the Thai Red Cross' Society's Volunteers" for volunteers along the coast of the Andaman Sea at Pearl Hotel, Phuket. Speakers included Khun Duangsamorn Pantusen, Khun Sopha Thieravichitr, Khun Chutintorn Panadit and Dr. Chalerm Chaivaraporn. Red Cross around the World Office on Locating Misplaced People during the War was first established during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 at Basel. The Office's activities have been carried on ever since by National Red Cross Societies around the world. In Thailand, the International Relations Department of the Thai Red Cross Society acts as mediator by collecting information and acting as a contact point for Vietnamese refugees also known as Vietnam Boat People since 1979. "80 years, 80 people to Celebrate His Majesty's 80th Birthday" program Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province distributed food and daily necessities valued at 250,900 baht to 193 elderly people as part of the ""80 years, 80 people to Celebrate His Majesty's 80th Birthday Anniversary" program at Sichongunagarn School, Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province. Distribution of relief supplies to flood victims Chairperson and Committee Members of the Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Petchchaboon gave 100 essential care packages to flood victims at Tambon Nong Mae Na, Khao Kho, Petchaboon Province. Vaccination Clinic On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society established the Immunization and Travel Clinic to provide vaccination for those health conscious as well as travelers. The services include blood test for immunity, counseling on pre-travel health preparation and post-travel healthcare. Available vaccinations include the following: - Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine - Hepatitis A vaccine - Hepatitis B vaccine - Typhoid vaccine - Japanese encephalitis vaccine(GPO) - Yellow fever vaccine - Diphtheria-tetanus (TD) vaccine - Tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine - Oral polio vaccine - Polio vaccine (injection) - Influenza vaccine - Rabies vaccine - Mumps,measles,rubella vaccine(MMR) - Varicella vaccine - Miningococcal vaccine - Oral cholera vaccine - Pneumococcal Disease - Oral polio vaccine Those vaccinated will receive a yellow book to record their history of vaccinations. For further information, please contact Tel. 0-2252-0161-4 ext. 132 . .