An Introduction to the Dr. Sem Foundation



The Dr. Sem Foudantion was born under the cpver of night on the back of 84 years experience on May 31, 1995. Prof. Dr. Sem Pringpuangkeo's talent lays in his ideas about how to help the country, people and finding an end to poverty. These talents were put to use as the basis for the Dr. Sem Foundation. Dr. Sem Pringpuangkeo is well respected by individuals and the general public of Thailand. He is known as the "Doctor of Four Kings" as he has lived his life in service to four kings, Rama VI-IX, with a concern for health and well-being of all Thai people. He has also served as the Minsiter of Public Health for two terms under Prime Minister General Prem Tinasulanondha (1981-82 and 1982-3).

Dr. Sem Pringpuangkeo has never walked on the straight path of the status quo, but rather forged his own with his unique way of thinking and acting without becoming involved in politics. He has love and concern for all Thai people and has given his service to many organizations and foundations. Some of the foundations which he has served as chairman are the National Public Health Board, Rural Doctors Foundation, and the Children's Foudnation. Whomever speaks of Dr. Sem Pringpuangkeo does so with fondness in their heart.

Dr. Sem Pringpuangkeo recently formed his own foundation to address the urgent need of the hundreds of children currently orphaned by AIDS and the estimated 120,000 children who will be orphaned by the year 2,000 in Thailand (estimation of the Public Health Minsitry of Thailand and World Helath Organization in 1995).

The Dr. Sem Foundation is built on a strong heritage of experience with a fresh image of youth of a child's heart. His son, Mr. Chuchuwal Pringpuangkeo is a successful architect and businessman with compassin to help people, especially those in the rural areas. Together with interested Buddhist monks, he has brought his friends together to be the first to support the Dr. Sem Foundation by becoming the first donors of the Foster Parent Project. Mr. Chuchwal has agreed to be the vice-chairman of the foundation together with Dr. Phisit Pakkasem (former Secretary General of the National Economic and Social Development Board) and Mr. Kasem Snidvongs Na Ayuthya (Permanenet Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment). The Foundation has the added strength of Mr. Somporn Pinaksornskul (former Director of the Population and Community Development Association, Chiang Rai Office and AIDS Program Coordinator for CARE Thailand) as the Foundation Secretary and office manager.