“Science is the foundation of the progress of nations.”
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society has shown her interest and support in science, technology, and medicine. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has made international visits to seek cooperation from leading world-class research organizations. It reflects HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s determination to promote and develop the foundation of science involved in bringing advanced technologies to develop the country and to continue helping the Thai people. Major international centers include;
- The European Organization for Nuclear Research – CERN
The world’s largest research center for particle physics Her Royal Highness led Thai scientists to visit five times and signed a declaration of intent to cooperate, resulting in Thailand having the opportunity to participate in various CERN projects and academic activities. - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron
The world’s leading research laboratory in elementary particle physics with cooperation with Thailand on many occasions. This led to the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Daisy Institute and the National Astronomical Research Institute. - GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research
Heavy ion research institute with research results in both basic and applied sciences. Gives two summer scholarships to physics students in Thailand each year. Join the summer training program with students from around the world. - ITER (International Fusion Energy Organization)
pure science research organization Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited and observed the progress of nuclear fusion reactor development. Plasma and nuclear fusion technology in France - SPHIC (Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center)
Shanghai Medical Center for Proton and Heavy Ion Therapy Her Royal Highness visited and observed the operation of the People’s Republic of China’s first and most advanced proton and heavy ion radiation therapy center in the People’s Republic of China.
The foundation of HPSP
Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital began treating cancer patients with external beam radiation in 1951 with a kilovolt X-ray machine. In 1990, the division provided treatment for patients with Cobalt-60 gamma rays. Since 1990, we at the Division of Radiation Oncology have continuously improved the quality of service and begun the radiation treatment with high-energy X-rays and electron beams with linear accelerators (or LINACs).
Currently, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has become Thailand’s largest radiotherapy center. We have 6 linear accelerators capable of providing radiation services to about 4,000 patients a year.
Under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society, the initiative for proton therapy has been recognized for its importance and introduced to Thailand to ensure advanced treatment for cancer patients of all ages. In 2014, the Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital received budget approval for the installation of a proton therapy facility. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, therefore, gave full support and bestowed the opportunity to bring King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital’s researchers to visit the GSI center in Germany. In addition, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also bestowed the name of this center as “Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center”.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center or HPSP is the first proton therapy center in Southeast Asia. The facility worths 1,200 million baht, with a cyclotron particle accelerator weighing up to 90 tons sent from the Federation Republic of Germany by boat. It took about two months to reach Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi Province. The cyclotron was later transported with a large 50-wheel vehicle due to its heavy weight. During transportation for installation, the road was closed along the route until reaching King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.
20 June 2019
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited to observe the installation of the cyclotron at Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center.
2 August 2021
The first proton therapy treatment began at Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center.
5 September 2022
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn attended an official inauguration ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center.
