Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol Performing Royal Duties with HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s Veterinary Volunteer Unit in Chaiyaphum, Lop Buri, and Phetchabun Provinces
Through the benevolence of Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, and in addition to her commitment to the well-being of the Thai people in various aspects, Her Royal Highness also takes great interest in the development of veterinary science to promote the healthcare of animals so that they do not suffer from serious diseases especially rabies, which constitutes a major public health problem in the country. Her Royal Highness continuously dedicates all her efforts to supporting the government sector in addressing such problems, as demonstrated for instance by her royal duties performed with HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s Veterinary Volunteer Unit in Chaiyaphum, Lop Buri, and Phetchabun Provinces between January 27-30, 2024.
Upon arrival in each province, Her Royal Highness donated 500 doses of rabies vaccines to the livestock officials in each province to boost the animals’ immunity against the disease. This proactive measure upgraded surveillance and prevention of rabies. Her Royal Highness also administered rabies vaccines to dogs and tagged them under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”, marking them as vaccinated and safe animals. Rabies remains a public health problem in Thailand, threatening people’s health, and is still found spreading in some areas. At present, there is no cure for rabies, and if infected individuals are not provided with prevention and timely treatment, nearly all will die. Therefore, vaccinating animals against rabies before exposure is an alternative solution for prevention and for everyone’s safety.
Afterwards, Her Royal Highness performed anesthesia on animals together with the team of HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s Veterinary Volunteer Unit to examine and sterilize dogs in the local areas in order to control their population that may carry rabies to humans and animals. Sterilization is a permanent birth control method that best prevents the spread of rabies. It also ensures long-term good health for the animals, and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, as well as other diseases such as uterine infection, mammary gland tumors, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. All animals undergoing sterilization were well taken care of, every step efficiently undertaken. This included anesthesia, monitoring vital signs with modern veterinary tools and devices, and assessing safety during the operation.Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol ensured the appropriate method of using anesthetics for each animal to maximize safety throughout the sterilization process, based on veterinary science principles.
While performing the royal duties with HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s Veterinary Volunteer Unit, Her Royal Highness brought a team of knowledgeable and experienced veterinarians equipped with modern tools and devices from the central administration. They collaborated with veterinarians of Provincial Livestock Offices and other relevant local agencies to assist, examine and treat both people’s pets and stray animals, ensuring their safety from serious diseases and to sustainably make Thailand a rabies-free country. To this end, the promotion of comprehensive services was emphasized, comprising sterilization, rabies vaccination, and training and campaigns to raise awareness and understanding on surveillance and prevention of rabies, as well as conscientious animal care and social responsibility. Creative and easy-to-understand media appropriate for all target groups especially children and young people were used. For example, the cartoon book “ZERO RABIES Mission to Defeat Rabies” combines modern science and technology with imagination to impart knowledge on proper conduct and awareness of the seriousness of rabies. This approach would help instill in children and young people a good learning experience, making them a significant force in reducing the problems of stray dogs and rabies in the country in the future. 
In summary, during the activities between January 27-30, 2024, 459 dogs and cats were vaccinated against rabies, and 290 were sterilized. These activities constitute another step forward in driving the major strategy of rabies surveillance, prevention, and control in local areas under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”, aiming to move rapidly towards rabies-free Thailand.
Public Relations Section, Office of the President
January 31, 2024
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