The 17th International
Congress of UNITAS MALACOLOGICA, the next World Congress
of Malacology (WCM), will be held in the island of Phuket,
Thailand, from the 18th to the 24th July 2010 (inclusive)
at the majestic and luxurious Royal Phuket City Hotel.
This is the first time that the WCM has ever been held
in Asia and is jointly organized by Unitas, Chulalongkorn
University and the Biodiversity Research and Training
Program of Thailand. Phuket, often called the “Pearl of
Andaman” is one of the most beautiful islands in the Andaman
Region, located in the southwest of Thailand within and
next to the Sirinath and Phang-Nga Bay National (Marine)
Parks, respectively, and a short boat trip away from the
equally well known Krabi (Hat Noppharat Thara National
Park) and Phi Phi Island. It thus offers internationally
renowned excellent recreational beaches and scuba diving
in addition to outstanding marine wildlife including,
of course, molluscs. However, both the island of Phuket
itself, as well as the nearby mainland (including Khao
Sok National Park) offer exciting opportunities to study
a diverse range of freshwater and terrestrial wildlife
and trekking, or just explore the diverse local, and world
famous, Thai cultures, cuisine and hospitality.
The congress will adopt the style of the last highly successful
Congress in Antwerp, Belgium (2007) and, building upon
their expertise, we expect the Phuket meeting to be at
least as successful. The congress offers a great opportunity
for people who work on or are interested in molluscs to
come to Phuket, Thailand. Currently, ten symposia are planned.
