Dear friends and colleagues,
The year 2003 was the last time the APAO Congress was held in Bangkok. Many things in science, art, culture, technology and so on have changed considerably since then.
The APAO Congress in 2003 was still in the era when APAO Congresses were held once every two years. It was the most successful APAO Congress ever then with more than 1,200 delegates, more than 300 submitted abstracts and more than 40 exhibitors. It was, however, surpassed very quickly by the following APAO Congresses. Fifteen years later, the latest APAO Congress in Hong Kong had more than 5,000 delegates, more than 1,500 submitted abstracts and more than 250 exhibitors. APAO Congresses have, without a doubt, become a yearly global event in ophthalmology with huge success.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand is proud to be part of the growing APAO. We are honored to be given this great opportunity to host the APAO Congress one more time after more than 15 years. We welcome ophthalmologists and related personnel from all over the world to the “Sciences and Arts of Ophthalmology.” While the growing success of APAO is certainly due to the strength of the scientific programs, friendship, the social part or art of academic meetings, is also slowly built up through APAO Congresses. I believe if APAO council members, speakers and delegates who attend APAO Congresses regularly through the years count the number of new friends they know from the congresses, they will find the number is enormous, or even countless.
The current President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand, Dr. Anuchit Poonyathalang, said in the welcome video for APAO 2019: “When our Thai hospitality meets academic spirit, APAO 2019 will bring the best of sciences and arts that ophthalmology offers.” He is certainly correct.
Let’s bring science, art and also friendship to APAO 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.
I hope to see you all.
With warmest personal regards,
Paisan Ruamviboonsuk
APAO 2019 Congress President
President, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand, 2013-2016
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is my great honour and pleasure to invite you to the 2019 Congress of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in Bangkok, co-hosted by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand.
As the region’s preeminent meeting for ophthalmologists and visual scientists, APAO 2019 will feature more than 600 internationally renowned speakers presenting the latest discoveries and ideas in all the major ophthalmic subspecialties. An attendance figure of at least 5,000 delegates is anticipated.
The APAO Congress also provides delegates with an excellent occasion to network and collaborate with peers and friends. Furthermore, Congress attendees can enjoy magnificent and historic palaces and temples, along with delicious cuisine and exciting nightlife, in Bangkok, one of Asia’s most-loved cities.
We very much look forward to seeing you at the 34th APAO Congress in Bangkok. It is truly an event not to be missed!
With very best regards,
Charles NJ McGhee
President, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the APAO Congress in Bangkok.
I am very grateful and honored to have served as both guest and co-sponsor of the Congress. The annual congress is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the world’s leading professionals and experts from across the ophthalmology field.It is also a time to meet with old friends and share the expertise and best practices with colleagues. I hope that the discussion and presentations taking place over the next four days will lead to greater achievements in the field of ophthalmology both inthe Asia-Pacific region and all around the world.
As ophthalmologists, we need to be open-minded to gather and share new insights in our field to let our patients benefit from the cross-fertilization of knowledge. I trust that we shall all enjoy a wonderful Congress for internationalfriendship.
With warmest personal regards,
Jan Tjeerd DE FABER
President, European Society of Ophthalmology
