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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

As a princess sister of King Rama X and an internationally-recognized scientist, Princess

Chulabhorn gave importance to science as a way to develop the economy and society in the
country. In 2016, she established Chulabhorn Royal College, which comprised Chulabhorn

Research Institute, Chulabhorn Hospital, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science,
Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Princess Agrarajakumari College of Nursing,

Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, and Chulabhorn Learning and Research Center to honor
the 60 anniversary of Princess Chulabhorn’s birthday. The Chulabhorn Royal College acts as
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the network of learning and research in medical sciences, the teaching center for graduates
and personnels in medicine, science, public health, technology, and environment science.

These institutes under the Chulabhorn Royal College have aimed to develop manpower in
advanced science and technology with a high standard at international level and to apply the

research outputs to raise the quality of life among Thai people.
Princess Chulabhorn realized that science and technology are important to help develop

the country because the discovery of new knowledge will affect national economy in nearly all
dimensions. The leading research institutes in Thailand often encounter the lack of research and

development funds, outdated scientific equipment, and scarcity of highly experienced scientists.
To optimize the use of available resources and to prioritize the research projects for the progress

of the nation, Princess Chulabhorn established Chulabhorn Research Institute in 1987 to celebrate
the 60 anniversary of Prince Mahidol’s birthday.
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Chulabhorn Research Institute is an independent organization and multidisciplinary
research institute that receives funding from the government via Ministry of Higher Education,

Science, Research and Innovation. It serves as a coordinating center for Thai scientists from various
institutes to collaborate in research. At the same time, it seeks collaboration and research funding

from international scientific organizations and foreign universities in order to strengthen the quality
of research with the main objectives as follows: 1) raise the research quality both in basic and

applied science to solve pressing problems and improve the quality of life among Thai people;
2) act as a center for knowledge and education as well as training personnels in science and

technology; and 3) act as a cooperation center with foreign organizations.
Chulabhorn Research Institute’s main emphasis is research in various aspects as follows:

1) natural products, chemical pharmacy, synthesis of organic matters with the aim to find
treatment for local and emerging diseases; 2) environmental toxicology and environmental

changes that affect people’s health; 3) research in biomedicine, especially epidemics or common
diseases in many countries such as cancer, hemorrhagic fever, rabies, etc.; and 4) research and

development of new drugs. In addition, Chulabhorn Research Institute plays a role in the

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