Announcement of the Prince Mahidol Award 2024 Laureates

On 21 November 2024, the Prince Mahidol Award (PMA) Foundation under the Royal Patronage held the annual joint press conference to announce the Prince Mahidol Award Laureates for 2024. The announcement was made by Professor Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University as Vice President of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation; Clinical Professor Supat Vanichakarn, Secretary General of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage. Also in attendance were Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information as the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Public Relations of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation; Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Chairman of the International Award Committee of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation; Mr. Sam Beckwith, Regional Director, Health Cooperation as representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Thailand; and Mr. Dick Custin, Counsellor for Public Affairs as representative of United States Ambassador to Thailand.

This year's results are as follows:

In the field of Medicine, Professor Dr. Tony Hunter, Ph.D. from the United Kingdom and the United States was awarded the prize for his discovery of tyrosine kinase enzymes and the phosphorylation process. It led to the development of targeted cancer treatments (targeted therapy) and drugs that can effectively inhibit cancer cells.

In the field of Public Health, Professor Dr. Jonathan P. Shepherd, D.D.S.c., Ph.D. from the United Kingdom. was awarded the prize for his creation of the "Cardiff Model of Violence Prevention," which is a public health tool and innovation for reducing community violence.

On this occasion, the representatives of the British Ambassador to Thailand and the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand expressed their gratitude and honour for their citizens being selected as laureates of the Prince Mahidol awards this year. They also highlighted the public health collaborations that the United Kingdom and the United States share with Thailand and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening these ties in the future.

Prince Mahidol Award is the award established in honor of HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkla as "The Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health of Thailand." The PMA recognizes individual(s) or institution(s) with outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of the international medical and public health services. The Award Presentation Ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Chakri Throne Hall on 30 January 2025.