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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

remote areas with risk factors to receive free screening for early breast cancer. The foundation

provided a mobile medical unit equipped with 4 vehicles–two equipped with mammogram
units, both 2-D and 3-D system, one carrying exhibition on breast cancer, and the fourth one

staffed with physicians. The 5-year project resulted in total screening of 157,504 women in
538 districts over 76 provinces. There were 2,102 requiring more tests in the hospital and

563 with early breast cancer detected and went on to receive treatment. (Kanjanabaramee
Foundation, 2020)

Royal involvement in handling COVID-19 pandemic

Spreading since the end of 2019, the new strain of corona virus was first reported in Thailand
on 13 January 2020. The WHO later named the disease COVID-19. Based on the information from

WHO on 7 February 2024, 774 million people had infected and more than 7 million patients had
died of the disease. (World Health Organization, 2024)

King Rama X and the queen had provided supports in dealing with COVID-19
pandemic since the beginning. Their Majesties the King and the Queen had donated at least

1,288.7 million Bahts (Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, 2021) to various projects as follows.
(BBC News Thailand, 2020; Manager Online, 2021; Creative Economy Agency, 2022)

- Royal project for respiratory support equipment and medical devices. Their Majesties
the King and the Queen donated 200 respiratory support equipments, 8 ambulances, automated

external defibrillators (AED) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intubation equipments,
cardiac monitors, automated DNA extractors, digital x-ray machines, double light sources for

operating room, decontaminating equipments and air purifiers, fingertip pulse oximeters, and
mobile bronchoscopes to major hospitals in the country.

- Modular swab units, installed within 3 days in 20 major hospitals. They provided safety
to doctors and personnels with protective gloves, air purifiers, continuous positive pressure

environment, and decontamination system after use.
- Thirteen mobile units to collect samples for the Ministry of Public Health. The mobile

units used the same principles and technics as the modular swab units but allowed quick
access to the areas with detection of new cases of COVID-19. They were used in the 12 local

health districts the country and in Bangkok Metropolitan area. Later, Their Majesties the King and
the Queen donated 7 additional mobile units adding up to 20 to serve more than 50,000 people

overall.
- The king donated 88.8 million Bahts to establish field hospitals in temples and

army camps on the King’s birthday, 28 July 2021.

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