Siraya Chunekamri

Academic Background

Dr. Chunekamrai qualified in 1984 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart

University in Bangkok and upon graduation received a scholarship to further her studies at

the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University. The research for her

doctorate degree focused on the effects of intra-articular corticosteroid injections and

cartilage metabolism.

In 1989 upon return to Thailand she started 2 veterinary practices; The Animal Farm

Veterinary Hospital in Bangkok and the Horsepital Equine Surgery, which was the first equine

hospital in Thailand situated in Nakorn ratchasima province. In 1998 she served as President

of the Veterinary Commission for the 13 th Asian Games equestrian events in Thailand which

was the first time this event was held on “own horse policy”. Apart from setting up

veterinary services she was also instrumental in planning the preparations for disease

control which included a nationwide serological survey, risk assessment and management,

setting up quarantine procedures, all eventually leading to Thailand’s attainment of third

country status from the EU commission.

Dr. Chunekamrai initiated continuing education activities in the country for equine

practitioners through the Equine practitioners group which at present has become the

Thailand Society of Equine Practitioners (TSEP) as well as chair the continuing education

program of the Veterinary Practitioners Association of Thailand (VPAT). She was elected

president of VPAT for 2 terms from 2006-2010, established the Thailand Animal Hospital

Standards and Accreditation and now serves on its advisory board. She was elected onto the

executive board of The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) in 2011 and

became the first female President of the association from 2020-2022 and ending her term

on the executive board in 2024.

At present her main focus is on the work of the Thai Pony Foundation (formerly Lampang

Pony Welfare Foundation) and the Cambodia Pony Welfare Organization which she founded

in 2003 and 2008 consecutively. Apart from improving welfare of working equids through

human behavior change methods and community engagement the research component of

this work revealed the unique genetic biodiversity of the Thai pony linking this breed to

ancient breeds in Mongolia and Yunnan.