Dear Colleagues,

It has been already more than 3 years since the avian influenza virus H5N1 started to spread throughout East and Southeast Asia and then to the rest of the world. Its death tolls are still rising. Its economic impact is enormous. It is keeping us reminded that the threat of pandemic influenza is imminent and if happen, may be catastrophic. The world is much readier to the pandemics but there are still many things to learn and many things to do before the preparedness is completely reliable. The Bangkok International Conference on Avian Influenza 2008: Integration from Knowledge to Control is organized by the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and many allied organizations in Thailand, aiming to provide a forum that world scientific experts and scientists working in affected areas can share knowledge, experiences and expertise. The forum will provide ample opportunities for knowledge, particularly those learned during the last 3 years, to find their ways to applications and controls. It will also facilitate international understanding and collaboration, which is obviously essential for handling this global threat. To facilitate this NSTDA will provide a number of travel funds for the students and scientists in developing, especially the affected countries, Thailand. Because of this many of world leading scientists already committed to participate, as you can find in the details of this announcement. On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committees, it is our pleasure to invite you to participate in this meeting, which will certainly be fruitful to your important roles in our defense against this frightening disease.

Sincerely yours,

Assoc.Prof. Prasit Palittapongarnpim, M.D. Chairman of the Organizing Committee	Prof. Emeritus Prasert Thongcharoen, M.D. Chairman of the Scientific Committee