On the behalf of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), the Thai Society of Behavioral Medicine (TSBM), and the Host Organizing Committee it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the Ninth International Congress of Behavioral Medicine in Bangkok, Thailand. After having had all the previous congresses, except the Brisbane congress in the year 2000, in Europe or Northern America, the choice of the venue for the 2006 Congress serves as another sign of our International Society becoming really international.
What a venue Bangkok will be! The main attraction of course will be the interesting high quality program which gives you an opportunity to discuss and interact with so many colleagues and friends. We can be sure that our Local hosts will arrange the best possible conditions for us. These will include the excellent congress venue and a choice of hotels for every taste and budget. As an extra, we will be able to enjoy the rich cultural milieu, warm hospitality of the people, as well as the very promising weather conditions that all of those living in the Northern hemisphere will appreciate at that particular time of the year.
The 8th International congress in Mainz was an outstanding accomplishment. The program structure in Bangkok follows what was found valuable there and at all of our other previous congresses. However, the Bangkok program will offer some new elements also that, I am sure will make it even more enjoyable. The Opening Ceremony for the Congress will be held on the Wednesday evening. Another new feature will be a Garden Party - instead of a more formal Banquet - to be held on the Friday evening, to which all Congress participants will be invited.
It is our firm belief that we will be able to contradict the old saying that "east and west shall never meet" - we can certainly make it happen in Bangkok in 2006! The Congress will be a unique and high quality learning experience that you and all of your colleagues should not miss. You are warmly welcome!