All Thammasat University students are familiar with the Thai Red Cross Society, a major humanitarian organisation in Thailand, providing services as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Thammasat University Library owns a number of books about the history and work of the Thai Red Cross Society.

The society was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Bangkok. It is governed by the Act on Thai Red Cross Society, Buddhist Era 2461 (1918), and is supervised by the Council of Ministers. Its expenses are borne by the government. Its president is appointed by HM the King upon advice and consent of the council of ministers. The current president is Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who has held the position since August 1956.

The Thai Red Cross Society has announced a blood donation drive, due to dwindling reserves linked to social isolation required by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily units needed in the Kingdom amount to 5,400, whereas only about 2,600 units are being donated each day.

While this represents progress from the lowest figure this year of 2,400 units daily, it is still inadequate.

All TU students, faculty, and staff who are able to donate are respectfully encouraged to do so in the spirit of social service and responsibility, as well as caring for fellow Thais.

Anyone interested in donating is cordially invited to phone the Thai Red Cross Society at 02-256-4300, 02-256-1637 ext 1760/1 for more information.

As the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University website reminds us,

In Year 112 of the Rattanakosin Era (1893), a territorial dispute between France and Siam over land on the left bank of the Mekhong River resulted in many casualties on both sides. Because there was no charitable organization to help alleviate their suffering, Thanpuying Plien Pasakornravongs gathered together a group of female volunteers and proposed to Queen Sawang Wadhana that His Majesty the King’s permission be sought to set up “The Red Unalom Society of Siam,” the purpose of which was to help relieve the suffering of injured soldiers. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn’s response to the proposal was favorable. He offered his support and allowed for funds totaling 443,716 baht, an enormous sum at the time, to be collected. His Majesty the King also appointed Queen Sawang Wadhana as “the mother of the Society”, Queen Saovabha Bhongsri as “the Society’s President”, and Thanpuying Plien Pasakornravongs as “the Society’s Secretary”.

Thanpuying Plien was a modern, creative, intelligent and far-sighted woman, and it was she who initiated Red Cross activities in Siam.

His Majesty King Chulalongkorn appreciated the intention and dedication of Thanpuying Plien. He understood how the creation of “The Red Unalom Society” could contribute to efforts to modernize the kingdom. Therefore, His Majesty granted permission to found the organization on April 26, 1893, which is known as the Thai Red Cross Society Foundation Day.

Another major milestone in the history of the Society in Thailand came when King Vajiravudh passed through Japan on his way home from England, where he had completed his studies. His Majesty, then the Crown Prince, was deeply impressed by the work of the Japanese Red Cross Hospital. He believed that the creation of a similar hospital in Thailand would be tremendously beneficial to the people and the country. Thus, upon the death of his father, King Chulalongkorn, King Vajiravudh, together with his brothers and sisters, decided to raise funds from Royal donations and from the Red Unalom Society for the construction of a hospital belonging to the Red Cross Society of Siam on the King’s private land. Completed in 1914, the hospital was named the “King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital” by King Vajiravudh in honor of his father. The names “Red Unalom Society” and “Red Cross Society” were used alternately until 1910 when the name “Red Unalom Society” disappeared and the Society became known as the Siamese Red Cross Society. Later this was changed to the Thai Red Cross Society.

The Thai Red Cross was officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross on May 27, 1920, and was accepted as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the former League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) on April 8, 1921.

The Bangkok Post explains, although staying at home has been the general rule for most people in the Kingdom,

it is possible to donate at the Thai Red Cross Society center, where social distancing and appropriate hygienic measures are observed, or at mobile units sent out to different venues in Bangkok.

The whole process usually takes about 15 minutes.

The Thai Red Cross National Blood Centre is located on Henri Dunant Road and is open daily from 7.30am to 7.30pm on weekdays, and 8.30am to 3.30pm on weekends.

There are further locations and opportunities, for example an initiative by Siam Commercial Bank (SCB). The SCB website notes:

SCB and the National Blood Center under the Thai Red Cross Society kick off 2020 SCB blood donation campaign

In cooperation with the National Blood Center under the Thai Red Cross Society, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) recently kicked off the 2020 SCB blood donation campaign. Under the theme of “Plus 1: More Donations, More Blood, More Lives Saved,” the 2020 blood donation campaign is inviting the public to donate blood one or more times during the year so as to keep an adequate blood supply on hand for patients in need nationwide. National Blood Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dootchai Chaiwanichsiri and SCB First Executive Vice President and Head of the CSR Function Araya Phuphanich presided over the campaign opening ceremony and blood donation event at Mahisorn Hall, SCB Head Office. On this occasion, SCB presented campaign posters to the National Blood Center to help promote blood donation among the public. At the event, those who cannot donate blood could also be givers by donating money for the procurement of supplies for blood donation procedures…SCB people, customers, and the public are invited to donate blood every 3 months throughout the year.

In addition, last month Marriott Hotels participated in a similar donation drive:

This important medical event, which took place at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers on 27 April 2020, invited healthy Marriott associates to donate their blood. This will now be provided to hospitals across Thailand, helping to ease the shortage of blood and save lives.

An estimated 182 volunteers visited the riverside property’s Royal Orchid Ballroom from 9am until 3pm…The hotel’s team members helped to set up the room and equipment, including sun lounger beds, while also offering food and beverages to the medical team.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)