Message from the President

The College of Neurological Surgeons of Thailand.
The ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Dear Friends and Guests,

May I welcome all of you to Thailand and to the city of Phuket. Our friends from the all ASEAN countries and our friends and instructors from WFNS as honorable guests to this meeting and I now express on behalf of the host of this meeting. May I apologize for the sense of horror and revulsion at the terrible terrorist event, which occurred in the downtown of Bangkok in May 2010.That political turmoil was a terrible reminder of how a political conflict can affect the images of this country. We've decided to host the 14th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the 9th ASEAN Neurosurgical Nursing Congress meetings in Phuket, during Frebruary16-19, 2011, to avoid the impact of any political turmoil or any terrorism.

We are quite sure that we all can enjoy our stay in this lovely, peaceful and beautiful city of marvelous beaches, nearby islands, diving, corals, water sports, nice resorts and spa and lovely people. With great collaboration of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, the WFNS Educational Course will be an important part of this special event. There are more than ten colleagues of WFNS Educational & Training Committee from the World Federation of Neurosurgical societies (WFNS) including Professor Yoko Sato. There are other 3 honorable speakers, namely Professor Michael Lawton (USA), Professor Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld (Austria) and Professor Volker Seifert (Germany) will come to share their experiences in ASEAN Congress session.

The progress in all neurosurgical subspecialties have been compiled and become more and more complex every minute. I realize that the progress of neurosurgical subspecializations in this region have been very successful in the past decade. By coming together, sharing experiences and discussion in the scientific meetings, in addition to reading the literature, is essential for every practicing neurosurgeon to keep up with the rapidly growing knowledge of Neurosurgery. There are several international and regional neurosurgical meetings in several countries all over the world. The 14th ASEAN Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the 9th ASEAN Neurosurgical Nursing Congress are regional meetings that have been continued for more than twenty years. Although new neurosurgical meetings in Asia and Asia- Australia region have been set up, the collaboration among ASEAN countries must go on to help this meeting.

We must share and realize our regional problems & solutions and continue our friendships. The theme of this meeting is "the Oriental Wisdom in Neurosurgery" therefore the cooperation from our friends from ASEAN countries will be an utmost important part of this meeting. Please come to share your experiences and expertises with us meanwhile benefitting from the WFNS educational program and our guest speakers, meet old friends & make new friends and enjoy the lovely city of Phuket. Your cooperation will make and keep the ASEAN Congress of Neurosurgery meeting strong and stronger to the next generation.

In welcoming all of you to Thailand, I join in particularly welcoming you to the city of Phuket. It is a lovely city, I hope you partake of its many benefits and delights and enjoy yourself in the time that you are with us. Thailand is a nation of 65 million people, a joyful and lovely nation with sufficiently strong economy with rich cultural heritages and great tourist attractions. Phuket is an island with nice beaches all around the island with different atmospheres. It is a safe city with warm and lovely people. Traditional Thai massage and spa are internationally well known and is worth trying.

Welcome to Thailand, I have great pleasure in declaring these academic and social events to be held in this beautiful, peaceful, most relaxing but full-facility resort and hotel of Sheraton Grande Laguna, in its private lagoon in Phuket. I hope you find it rewarding and I hope you go from our country with fond memories, not only of the city of Phuket but also of the friendliness and the welcome of the Thai people. Our organizing committee will do our best to provide the most comfortable atmosphere for scientific, educational and cultural experiences.

Looking forward to welcoming you all in Phuket, in February 2011.

Chopeow Taecholarn M.D., FRCST, FCNST.
President of College of Neurological surgeons of Thailand.
Head of the Division of Neurosurgery
Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.