The 17^th International Congress of UNITAS MALACOLOGICA, the next World Congress of Malacology (WCM), will be held in the island of Phuket, Thailand, from the 18^th to the 24^th July 2010 (inclusive) at the majestic and luxurious Royal Phuket City Hotel. This is the first time that the WCM has ever been held in Asia and is jointly organized by Unitas, Chulalongkorn University and the Biodiversity Research and Training Program of Thailand. Phuket, often called the “Pearl of Andaman” is one of the most beautiful islands in the Andaman Region, located in the southwest of Thailand within and next to the Sirinath and Phang-Nga Bay National (Marine) Parks, respectively, and a short boat trip away from the equally well known Krabi (Hat Noppharat Thara National Park) and Phi Phi Island. It thus offers internationally renowned excellent recreational beaches and scuba diving in addition to outstanding marine wildlife including, of course, molluscs. However, both the island of Phuket itself, as well as the nearby mainland (including Khao Sok National Park) offer exciting opportunities to study a diverse range of freshwater and terrestrial wildlife and trekking, or just explore the diverse local, and world famous, Thai cultures, cuisine and hospitality.

       The congress will adopt the style of the last highly successful Congress in Antwerp, Belgium (2007) and, building upon their expertise, we expect the Phuket meeting to be at least as successful. The congress offers a great opportunity for people who work on or are interested in molluscs to come to Phuket, Thailand. Currently, five symposia are planned:

 

 

       In addition to the main symposia listed above, there will also be both contributed paper sessions and poster sessions which are open to cover all aspects of Malacology.

       The conference will start with an icebreaker on Sunday evening, 18^th July 2010, with the sessions being held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is set aside for excursions (see below), and the conference dinner and farewell evening will be on Friday night. Three-star hotel accommodation will be available at the conference venue itself (Royal Phuket City Hotel), as well as at nearby hotels. These are established tourist hotels and thus well suited to cater for diverse cultural (and electrical appliance) requirements and languages. This conference will be one of, if not the cheapest and yet impressive meetings ever held before, and so will represent ideal value!

 

A choice of four excursions is tentatively planned for Wednesday;  

 

       Further information on both scientific (conference) and related matters, including international transport details, expected weather, suitable dress and local customs, and nearby sites of malacological or tourist interests for those planning an extended stay, will be available on the conference website which will be activated soon and regularly updated thereafter. Alternatively, information can be obtained from the Conference Organiser: somsakp@sc.chula.ac.th.

 

 

Somsak Panha

President of Unitas Malacologica