Mechai Viravaidya speaks with students in the Geography Lab. Mechai's wife Putrie is NCS '60; alumnae friends present included (l-r) Betsy Christenberry Holleman, Lois Everett Brown, Reenie Black Prettyman, and Susan Dick Grigsby, all Class of '60, here with Mechai and students. They saw Mechai's work in action in Thailand.

Thai Expert Shares Vision of Ending Poverty

Noted Thai economist and social entrepreneur Mechai Viravaidya presents strategies to end poverty.

Founder and chairman of Thailand’s Population and Community Development Association (PDA), Mechai Viravaidya has been a positive force for change in Thailand for 40 years. A leader in government and business, Mechai is perhaps best known for spearheading programs in population control and HIV/AIDS prevention that brought about a dramatic reduction in Thailand’s birthrate and a 90% drop in HIV infection rates. These efforts earned his organization the 2007 Bill Gates Award for Global Health,and Mechai, the affectionate title of “Condom King.”

Mechai’s appearance at NCS on Sept. 13 came about after students Bridget Morrison ’11 and Adrienne Larson ’11 went to Thailand last summer with a DC-based organization called “Prevent Human Trafficking” to observe Thai NGOs' initiatives tackling the problem.  There they met Mechai and witnessed his programs in action.  “We learned that human trafficking is a byproduct of other issues, like poverty and disenfranchisement,” said Bridget. Calling Mechai “the most awe-inspiring human being I have ever met,” she said, “he taught us that many of the world’s issues are interconnected and can be solved through relatively simple initiatives if one is just innovative and ambitious enough to persevere.”

Mechai also has a very special connection to NCS: he is married to Putrie (maiden name: Kritakara), NCS s of ’60, who traveled from Thailand to attend our school.  Several of Putrie's NCS friends were on hand to hear Mechai speak to the AP Human Geography classes on September 13.  It was a gratifying "small world" moment for everyone!

Today Mechai is advancing a holistic model of povery eradication that combines education, business training, and philanthropy.  "We take 'no' as a question, not an answer," he said.  PDA has created a model rural school that puts his ideas into practice; the concepts are also being adapted and being applied throughout Thailand.

Our thanks to Mechai, Bridget, and Adrienne for a compelling lesson in how postive action can bring about change!


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    • Mechai Viravaidya speaks with students in the Geography Lab.

    • Mechai's wife Putrie is NCS '60; alumnae friends present included (l-r) Betsy Christenberry Holleman, Lois Everett Brown, Reenie Black Prettyman, and Susan Dick Grigsby, all Class of '60, here with Mechai and students.

    • They saw Mechai's work in action in Thailand.