In 1987, all the Lost Cord Clubs in Thailand were united under the Laryngectomees Association in Thailand with the Association located at Siriraj Lost Cord Club. The objectives of the Association are as follows.
1. To be the center of thought and experience to advance the theory and correct practice for the mastery of esophageal speech.
2. To promote the knowledge of esophageal speech and the rehabilitation of Laryngectomees in order to live in society as normally as possible,
3. To promote esophageal speech in Thailand to be at international level.
4. To promote public understanding of and assistance for Laryngectomees.
5. To unite Laryngectomees and provide channel for assisting each other.
6. To be the center of relationship with other institutes In Thailand and foreign countries.
7. The Association is a non-political organization.
The activities of this Association are gradually expanding and the numbers of Lost Cord Clubs are Increasing, In March 2001, there are 16 Lost Cord Clubs and 3,000 members covering all regions in Thailand. The committee and members of the association develop the Laryngectomees Association in Thailand to an international level. In addition, under supervision of Professor Dr. Apichai Vitavasiri and Professor Dr. Sunanta Polpathapee as medical consultant, the Laryngectomees Association in Thailand(LAT)grows strong and healthy.
In 1987 Ginreikei Asian Federation of Laryngectomees' Associations began to support LAT by providing grants to 3 Thai Laryngectomees to practice esophageal speech in Japan each year, The course of esophageal speech training in Japan takes 2-3 months. The result of the training increases the Thai Laryngectomee knowledge not only in laryngeal speech but also in Japanese culture, lifestyle, working style, character and hospitality. These things assisted the Thai Laryngectomees progress in esophageal speech training and adapted them for better quality living in Thailand.
The Laryngectomee Association in Thailand has various activities as follows.
1.Membership has increased to 3,000 distributed in Lost Cord Clubs all over Thailand:Bangkok(6 clubs), Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Song Kia, Kanchanaburi and Chantaburi.
2.There is an increasing number of members who are able to master esophageal speech at different levels.
3.The LAT is well known through various media such as newspaper, television, radio and other media.
4.The result of item 3 above brings the LAT funding from various organizations both in Thailand and in foreign countries such as NGOs, the Ministry of Health, Rotary Clubs, Tarn Setakit Newspaper, Ginreikai Asian Federation of Laryngectomees' Associations, JICA and others.
5.The LAT has co-operated with the Tobacco Control Foundation. By the presentation of Laryngectomees via several media, we try to alert people to the toxicity of cigarette smoking that cause laryngeal cancer. The co-operation between LAT and other organizations promotes LAT to be better known which helps the work of LAT
Such progress in activities of LAT is the result of proactive method of team members who to not wait for new Laryngectomee members come to LAT. but LAT arrange short courses to practice esophageal speech in provincial hospitals. LAT has invited Japanese Laryngectomee teachers to teach Thai Laryngectomees in Thailand and has arranged esophageal speech contests between Japanese Laryngectomees and Thai Laryngectomees. The committee of LAT work on voluntary basis without receiving any money.
Laryngectomees who live in urban and suburban areas in various parts of Thailand help other Laryngectomee practice esophageal speech more and more. Most Laryngectomees have the inspiration to live in the world as normal human being; with support and understanding from their families, they gain the confidence to return to work and society. This improves their quality of life and furthermore they do not become a burden to their family, society and the country.
By stimulating Laryngectomees to practice laryngeal speech, Ginreikai Asian Federation of Laryngectomees Association has promoted LAT to be the center of esophageal speech training in Southeast Asia with the support of the Japan Foundation. In 2001, the LAT plan to provide International training courses for Laryngectomees from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines. The LAT is in the process of obtaining approval from the Japan Foundation for this project: the result is expected in March 2001.
The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital has recognized the devotion of teachers of Laryngectomees at Siriraj hospital and from all over Thailand. Most Laryngectomees can use esophageal speech to imporve the quality of daily living. The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital has arranged a ceremony to honour six of these teachers of Laryngectomees with a commemorative plaque on May 3,2000. A second commemorative plaque for five teachers was established on December 13,2000. This recognition of the teachers' dedication is an example to other teachers to inspire them to greater achievements.
As a founder and now as an advisor to the Laryngectomee Association in Thailand, I have assisted the LAT for 25 years. I am proud to see the results of the activities of LAT recognized in Thailand and internationally. I pledge to continue my support to the LAT.
(Professor Dr. Sunanta Polpathapee,MD.)
