Mechai Viravaidya

Mechai Viravaidya's Biography

Mechai Viravaidya has been called The Condom King of Thailand. He is a man on a mission: to make condoms 'as common as cabbages' in Thailand so as to promote family planning.
A military coup in 1991 installed prime minister Anand Panyarachun; Panyarachun then appointed Viravaidya minister for tourism, information and AIDS. He was able to start a large and quite successful education campaign and served until 1992. In 2004, Viravaidya again became a senator. As of 2007, he continues to oversee rural development and health initiatives as the Chairman of PDA. On May 29, 2007 PDA was awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Gates Award in recognition of its pioneering work in family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.
In addition to his tireless community work, Mechai Viravaidya is the Chairman of the Telephone Organisation of Thailand. He has become internationally sought after as a keynote speaker who provides insights to the ethical responsibility of management.