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The interview was conducted in Thai. Translated and edited by Dr.Chamaree Chuapetcharasopon, AOSR President-Elect. Approved by Dr Thavi Boonchoti on 1st May 2023.
Pictured here is Dr Thavi Boonchoti, now 97 years old.
How was organizing the first international congress in Thailand managed? What were the challenges, how did the organizing committee get things to work together?
Thailand was elected to host the 4th AOCR during the third AOCR held in Singapore in 1979. The venue was a very new and modern convention center, the Hyatt Central Plaza, opened in 1982. The convention center was close to the international and domestic airport (not the current [Suvanarbhumi airport].) The organizing committee came from both major university hospitals and a few private hospitals. The president of the congress, Dr Romsai Suwanik, was very well known internationally. Most of the Thai radiologists at that time also had their training from abroad. We used our connections to invite many guest lecturers from overseas.
How did it feel that this was the largest AOCR since 1975 with 1500 attendees? What and how did the organizing committee manage to achieve this feat?
There were not that many congresses held during that time, especially in the region. Thailand had less than 500 radiologists then. The participants were not only radiologists but radiological technologists, a few medical physicists, and many technical exhibitors as well.
This was prior to electronic communications and in the early years of the AOSR - was the AOSR known to all in Thailand, or was it still relatively unknown to the Thai radiology and allied community then? What about then and now?
The Thai radiology community was small at that time. Thailand had only a few hundred radiologists. Most of the radiologists were in the university hospitals and some private sectors. Everyone seemed to know each other. Although AOSR was not well known to Thai radiologists before the congress, the president of the congress and the chairman of the local organizing committee (Dr.Romsai Suwanik and Dr Dusdee Prabhasawat, president of the Radiological Society of Thailand in the year 1983 ) were both well respected by the radiology community and easily got participation from everyone. (Both of them have passed away.)
How does it feel to know that Bangkok was the venue for the 21st AOCR in 2023, 40 years since the first time?
It was a long time ago, 1983. What I remember was the excitement of a big congress. I am happy to hear that all went well for this year’s congress. Thanks to the local organizing committee.
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