13th Congress of the APSR
Bangkok, 2008
Welcome Message
16th September 2008
As the congress moves to within a touching distance, we (the Organising Committee of the 13th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology) would like to update the progress with regards to the preparation for the congress. The congress operations preparation are progressing extremely well, there are now more than 400 abstracts submission while more than 60 renowned speakers have now confirmed their participations. Not to mention that the registration number is growing steadily as we reach end of the early bird period for registration.
We would also like to take this opportunity to update you with regards to the current situation in Thailand. The gathering is limited to certain areas (leaving the majority of Bangkok unaffected) in which The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the congress venue, hotels and all department stores are all a long distance away and remain unaffected by the current situation.
The declaration of a state of emergency was merely a political tool used by certain parties which does not reflect the true current situation. As a result no measures are taken and the declaration is not enforced throughout Bangkok. The gathering outside the Parliament House is a peaceful gathering which has now become more of a tourist attraction for foreigners rather than anything dangerous.
We would like to ensure you that the current situation is on course for a speedy resolution by all parties and hope that you would consider participating in the congress along with experience our great culture and truly believe that your involvement would contribute to overall success of the congress.
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact our secretariat office at (662) 229-3333 or secretariat@apsr2008.org
Arth Nana
Congress President
The Thirteenth Congress of the APSR will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, 19-22 November 2008.
The theme is Optimal Use of Advanced Technology and the Congress is being organised by the Thoracic Society of Thailand under the presidency of Professor Arth Nana.
The Central Congress Committee currently comprises:
| Chairperson: | Kwun M Fong (Australia) |
| President: | Norbert Berend (Australia) |
| Secretary General: | Pan-Chyr Yang (Taiwan) |
| Treasurer: | Shoji Kudoh (Japan) |
| Assembly Head 1: | VK Vijayan (India) |
| Assembly Head 2: | Richard Ruffin (Australia) |
| Chairperson of the Research Committee: | Michiaki Mishima (Japan) |
| Chairperson of the Education Committee: | Richard Beasley (Australia) |
| President of the next Congress: | Arth Nana (Thailand) |
| President of the previous Congress: | Christine Jenkins (Australia) |
| Representative of the Editorial Office of Respirology: | Philip J Thompson (Australia) |
The latest details can be found at: apsr2008.org
For further information, contact: secretariat@apsr2008.org
Introducing the Thoracic Society of Thailand
The Thoracic Society of Thailand (TST) is a non-profit organization for physicians and allied health professionals with an interest in thoracic diseases. The Society was established in 1957 by a group of pulmonary physicians, thoracic surgeons and paediatric pulmonologists. The Society currently has 550 members and is committed to the following Missions:
- Promoting better lung health in Thailand
- Disseminating the latest research findings to members and public
- Promoting unity among members
- Building international connections
- Establishing and maintaining standards of excellence in pulmonary medicine training and practice for the physicians in Thailand
The TST holds a scientific meeting twice a year with an average attendance of 300-400. The main meeting with the annual business meeting of members is usually held in January for three days and usually 30 to 50 abstracts are presented. To encourage young researchers, each year the Society grants a Young Investigator Award to two researchers with a scholarship to present their study results at international meetings. The mid-year meeting is usually held in August and the next will be 17 August 2007 with the theme 'Optimum care for lung cancer'. A workshop on 'Transbronchial Needle Aspiration/Biopsy' will also be held for especially interested physicians. During the year the TST organizes special lectures on various topics in conjunction with either associated medical organizations such as Anti-tuberculosis Association of Thailand, or pharmaceutical companies. With its mission to promote better lung health in Thais, the TST has developed its own local guidelines on asthma, COPD, occupational lung diseases, spirometry and community-acquired pneumonia, in association with the Infectious Disease Society of Thailand.
To improve the standard and quality of pulmonary function testing, the TST organizes a spirometry training course for technicians with an accredited certificate for attendance from the Society. The course is very popular, resulting in a long waiting list.
The pulmonary physician training programme is another mission of the TST. In association with the Medical Council of Thailand, a two-year fellowship course has existed since 1990. Each year around 20 pulmonary physicians graduate from the programme.
Internationally, the TST is actively involved with colleagues from other countries especially from the Asia Pacific region. The TST was involved in organizing the 4th World Congress of Asthma in 2004, the 29th World Conference of IUATLD in 1998, the 5th Congress of Asia-Pacific Association for Respiratory Care (APARC) in 1996, the 11th Asia-Pacific Congress on Diseases of the Chest in 1989. In 2008, the TST will host the 13th APSR Congress in Bangkok from 19-22 November 2008.
The TST has been actively involved with the APSR since the 1st APSR Congress in Tokyo. As a member of the APSR, the TST is doing its best to bring Thai pulmonary physicians closer to our colleagues in this region. There should be no boundary of knowledge dissemination and we hope that the APSR will act as a platform on which we can interact, exchange ideas, exchange training programmes and also unite in research activities to the advancement of the knowledge in pulmonary medicine which ultimately will benefit "our" patients.
Arth Nana
President/Thoracic Society of Thailand