Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol Performs Royal Duties with the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit to Address Stray Dog Issues and Eradicate Rabies at Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan Temple, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Recognizing the importance of addressing the problems of rabies, an important public health issue in Thailand, Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, President of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, has steadfastly committed to managing and resolving the problems of stray dogs, and eradicating rabies across all regions in Thailand in a sustainable manner.
From July 20-24, 2023, Her Royal Highness led the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit to the south, to Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan Temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, upon the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Office’s humble request for assistance in addressing the problems of stray dogs within the Temple compound. The Temple is one of the most revered sanctuaries in the south of Thailand and must meet the “cultural heritage” evaluation criteria, as it is currently in the process of registration to be qualified as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The renovation and physical landscaping of the Temple are 95 percent complete and will be presented to the Fine Arts Department by September 30, 2023, for further application to be registered a World Heritage Site.
On this occasion, Her Royal Highness graciously provided 500 doses of rabies vaccine to Mr. Pornpirom Fungtrakul, Chief, Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Livestock Office, for further vaccination of local dogs and cats to build immunity. Her Royal Highness also administered rabies vaccinations on dogs, and distributed dog tags under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies” as tokens of remembrance.
Afterwards, as an expert in veterinary anesthesia, Her Royal Highness collaborated with veterinarians from the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit to conduct veterinary anesthesia work for sterilization and treatment of various diseases, including tumors and uterine infections. These procedures were carried out on a mobile surgical unit with high safety standards and efficiency.
Under Her Royal Highness’s directives, the veterinarians of the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit worked in cooperation with teams of veterinarians and officials from relevant provincial agencies, notably from the Livestock Office District 8 of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Livestock Office, Nakhon Si Thammarat City Municipality, Walailak University, and Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket Province They integrated activities such as treatment, vaccination, and sterilization to control the population of people-owned and stray dogs and cats, providing these services free of charge. Stray animals from the compounds of five temples and six communities were sterilized and treated, and then taken to a stray dog shelter under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies” in the south located at Walailak University, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, for systematic management of stray dog issues in the areas.
Another key activity to strengthen communities and ensure they remain safe from rabies is organizing training sessions to share knowledge on rabies prevention and raise awareness about responsible animal care, including healthcare, and public participation in campaigns against abandoning pets at temples or in public spaces, aiming to reduce the burden and harm to local residents, society, and the environment.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the dog and cat population totals 188,539. In 2023, 158,373 dogs and cats (84% of the total population in the area) were vaccinated against rabies, and 11,254 were sterilized to control the population. During the mission of the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit, 975 dogs and cats were vaccinated against rabies, and 915 were sterilized.
Public Relations,
Office of the President
July 25, 2023
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