The 1973 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership

RESPONSE of Krasae Chanawongse

It gives me great pleasure to stand before you today, to have the opportunity of once more seeing the Philippines—the "Pearl of the Orient," especially the beautiful Bay of Manila—and to meet again your proud and charming people. This is my third visit to the Philippines but never before have I been here in such exciting circumstances.

I am indeed very pleased to be the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award. It never occurred to me that I should receive such a great honor. It is far more than I could ever have hoped for in my position as a doctor in rural Thailand.

I am even more impressed by the greatness of the honor given me when I consider the man—Ramon Magsaysay. His selfless devotion to the task of improving the lot of his countrymen is an inspiration to the whole world, and my receiving this Award has again brought to the notice of the Thai people this great man and the principles he stood for—principles of freedom and democracy and of the importance and dignity of every individual person.

I must say that I admire the diplomatic way of working employed by the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Usually, competitors receive the prize when the race is finished. For me, this prize doesn't mean the end of the race but it will be a spur to even greater endeavor on behalf of the people of Muang Phon, and, therefore, of the vast population of rural Thailand.

In concluding, I would like to thank sincerely all concerned, and as their representative to convey the goodwill of the people of Muang Phon to the people of the Philippines.