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| Emperor, Empress
inspect Prince's research project; royals pan out
across the capital |
| Published
on June 14, 2006 |
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
of Japan visited Chulalongkorn University yesterday
morning to inspect a Japan-Thai joint research project
initiated by their second son, Prince Akishino.
The project, which studies multi-dimensional relationships
between humans and chickens, features an exhibition
of chicken specimens collected by Prince Akihito,
who holds a PhD in ornithology, the study of birds.
It was Their Majesties' second visit to Chulalongkorn,
the first being in 1964. On arrival, the Emperor
and Empress were welcomed by the chairperson of
the university's council, its president and vice
president, and student representatives, displaying
the flags of Japan and Thailand.
Also granted an audience with the Emperor and Empress
were 59 distinguished guests from the Japan-Thai
Politics Club and well-known figures who studied
in Japan, including caretaker Finance Minister Thanong
Bidaya, Dr Praves Wasi, Pichai Vassanasong, Kobkarn
Kavitanond, and Prateep Ungsongtham Hata.
Escorted by Thai researchers led by Professor Pairash
Thajchayapong and Associate Professor Wina Mekvichai,
the Emperor and Empress were told that the project
focuses on four major aspects of the relationship
between humans and chickens: anthropology, biology
and ecology, geography, and economics.
"The project is based on Prince Akishino's
assumptions concerning the relationships between
humans, domesticated chickens and wild fowl,"
Wina said.
The centrepiece of the project is Prince Akishino's
chicken collection, gathered in the course of work
on the project, which began in 2003 under the royal
patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn.
Specimens were collected from the Mae Fa Luang,
Mae Sai, and Mae Chan districts of Chiang Rai province.
They include skins, skeletons, and shanks of Gai
Tang, or decoy chickens - a hybrid of red jungle
fowl - and Gai Chon, or fighting cocks.
The project aims to help explain the multi-dimensional
relationships between humans and chickens in various
aspects such as genetic diversity, reproduction,
culture, and economic impact.
The Emperor and Empress showed enthusiastic interest
in the exhibition, especially when seeing photos
of Prince Akishino interviewing local residents
and collecting specimens during a visit last year.
The exhibition is on display at Chulalongkorn University's
Natural History Museum. In August 2001, Prince and
Princess Akishino officially visited the museum
when Prince Akishino received an honorary doctorate
in biological science from the university.
Kupluthai Pungkanon
The Nation
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