Message from
the President 2003-2005 of
the International Society of Surgery (ISS)

Everything was well prepared. Bangkok was elected anonymously as the location for the World Congress of the ISS in 2003 organized as the International Surgical Week. The local organizing committee in Thailand was extremely successful and we were expecting a great event. Everyone was prepared to come to Bangkok and to enjoy this marvellous city and the hospitality of our Thai friends.

Then, the SARS epidemic unexpectedly came along and with this uncontrolled epidemic travelling around the world became more and more problematic. The ISS program committee received a large number of cancellations by participants, altogether more than 40% of the participants cancelled their trip to Bangkok . The Lloyds insurance was confronted with this situation and Lloyds covered part of the cancellation costs of the congress.

Everyone in the ISS Executive Committee was very sorry about this development and we are very thankful that the local organising committee of the Thai congress organisation was kind enough to accept this decision to cancel the event. From this time on, it was the deep wish of the ISS to celebrate our close friendship with the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand at the next given opportunity.

Now we are most grateful for the invitation to celebrate a Joint Meeting of the RCST and the ISS on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand in Pattaya in July 2006. The ISS will come to Thailand to renew the long standing friendship between the RCST and the ISS. We shall greatly enjoy our stay in the wonderful city of Pattaya and are once more most appreciative of your most generous invitation.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. J. Rüdiger Siewert
President 2003-2005 of
the International Society of Surgery (ISS)