---
title: "World Vegetarian Congress - Dr. Phichai Tovivich - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "World Vegetarian Congress - Dr. Phichai Tovivich: International Vegetarian Union (IVU) 33rd World Vegetarian Congress Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 4 - 10, 1999 'Vegetarianism is the Way' an unforgettable visual, cultural and gastronomic experience Dr. Phichai Tovivich Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand"
url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3714-congress-thai99-program-pichai.html"
date: "2026-11-06T00:12:12+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  World Vegetarian Congress - Dr. Phichai Tovivich

**International Vegetarian Union (IVU)** | ![IVU logo](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/members/pics/ivu-con4.gif) |  |
|---|---|
 | ![Congress Logo](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/congress/thai99/pics/logo99.gif) **33rd World Vegetarian Congress**    Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 4 - 10, 1999    *'Vegetarianism is the Way'*    an unforgettable visual, cultural and gastronomic experience   Dr. Phichai Tovivich  Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1939, graduated B.Sc. (Honors in Chemistry), from Chulalongkorn University in 1965, M.Sc. and Ph.D from College of Pharmacy in Boston, Massachusettes, U.S.A. in 1973 and 1975 respectively. He worked as lecturer in the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, former Head of the English Division of the Faculty of Science, head of the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and a member of the Chulalongkorn University Council.  From 1977-1983, he was the Executive Secretary of the UNESCO Regional Network for the Chemistry of Natural Products in Southeast Asia, and a Thai representative for 15 years and a nominated candidate for the Noble Prize in Chemistry. He attended study tours in more than 20 countries: Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.  He used to be the Vice-President of the Science Society of Thailand and member of the Executive Committee and Public Relations of the Chemical Society of Thailand. He has been the Executive Secretary, Chemistry Section of the Science Society of Thailand from 1975. He has been the Managing Director of Professor Dr. Tap Nilanidhi Foundation for more than 20 years and the Advisor of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, etc.  Also interested in spirituality, he is the Chairman of the Jinapanjarasuttam Chanting Society, the Samnak Poo Sawan Fellows' Society, Secretary General of the Office of the World Peace Envoy and President of the International Religious Federation for Peace of Thailand.  He is a member of the Working Committee of the Evaluation for Duty Education for Imported Materials and Equipment for the Protection of Environment, Executive Committee of the Consumers' Beneficial Protection Society, Advisory Board of Parliament Committee on Environment, Parliament of Thailand; the Research and Development, Petroleum Authority of Thailand and Dr.Preecha-Prapai Amatyakul Science Foundation, etc.  : **Development of Vegetarian Ahimsa Dharma in Thailand** *- on Tuesday January 5th 1999*  The Development of Vegetarian Ahingsa Dharma in Thailand has been started individually by many persons in Thailand which will be named as examples at the meeting. However,the first person who has founded a group as a society namely the Vegetarian Center of Thailand is Professor Dr.Suchart Kosolkitiwong who was invited by H.H Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, the 14th Supreme Spiritual Leader of Namdhari Sikh to attend the 24th World Vegetarian Congress in India in 1977. As a matter of fact, Professor Dr.Suchart Kosolkitiwong proposed at that congress to organize the World Vegetarian Congress in Thailand. It took more that 20 years to have his dream comes true.  Although there are many Chinese in Thailand take vegetarian individually for a very long historic period and there is a Vegetarian Festival during the first ten days of the Chinese nineth Lunar month, but Professor Dr. Suchart Kosolkitiwong, now being in monkhood, named Ariyawanso Bhikkhu, has successfully convinced his followers to be life-long vegetarian since 1966. After that, many other vegetarian groups have been formed and spreaded all over the country.  The meaning of Vegetarian Ahimsa Dharma and the advantages of being vegetarain following the Ahimsa Dharma as well as many beneficial aspects was discussed in details. It is convinced that vegetarianism is the the way of life not only for health but also for the creation of an eternal peace of the world.      A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly.  Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value.  - Hits: 954    ###  Vegan Recipes   - [![VEGAN SALAD WITH APPLE, SAUTÉED MUSHROOM, AND ORANGE JUICE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20594_e4f7a4fb7941c84dcdd065a5f8d8c96c.jpg "VEGAN SALAD WITH APPLE, SAUTÉED MUSHROOM, AND ORANGE JUICE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-salad-with-apple-sauteed-mushroom-and-orange-juice.html "VEGAN SALAD WITH APPLE, SAUTÉED MUSHROOM, AND ORANGE JUICE")           ####  [VEGAN SALAD WITH APPLE, SAUTÉED MUSHROOM, AND ORANGE JUICE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-salad-with-apple-sauteed-mushroom-and-orange-juice.html "VEGAN SALAD WITH APPLE, SAUTÉED MUSHROOM, AND ORANGE JUICE")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [salads](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/salads.html) - [![VEGAN MAYONNAISE SAUCE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th11%2055_afda553432469ad76a846fc45a4aefc5.jpg "VEGAN MAYONNAISE SAUCE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mayonnaise-sauce.html "VEGAN MAYONNAISE SAUCE")           ####  [VEGAN MAYONNAISE SAUCE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mayonnaise-sauce.html "VEGAN MAYONNAISE SAUCE")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) - [![VEGAN GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th11%20127_1bbb09eebb8276920e45fcb858f23e6d.jpg "VEGAN GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-grilled-mushroom-skewers-2.html "VEGAN GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS")           ####  [VEGAN GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-grilled-mushroom-skewers-2.html "VEGAN GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Fake Meats (Tofu etc)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/fake-meats-tofu-etc.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![Discover the Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Options in Vietnamese Cuisine](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/vegan_pho_2_479e2169741496f288a53bb1c218745a.jpg "Discover the Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Options in Vietnamese Cuisine")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/discover-the-delicious-and-nutritious-vegan-options-in-vietnamese-cuisine.html "Discover the Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Options in Vietnamese Cuisine")           ####  [Discover the Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Options in Vietnamese Cuisine](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/discover-the-delicious-and-nutritious-vegan-options-in-vietnamese-cuisine.html "Discover the Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Options in Vietnamese Cuisine")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/discover-the-delicious-and-nutritious-vegan-options-in-vietnamese-cuisine.html)       ###  Science   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html)     [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html)     [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html)     [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular            ###  History     [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg)    Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating")       [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg)    Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation")       [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg)    Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference")                                ###  Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)     [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular               7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html)     [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular               7319 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html)     [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular               6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html)     [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular               5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html)     [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular               5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html)     [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular               4558 downloads            ###  Nutrition   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html)     [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular               603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html)     [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular               2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html)     [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular               3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html)     [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular               4052 downloads                                ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults  In 2 versions:  - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html)    [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html)         ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents  The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet    [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)                 Vegan Nutrition            ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png)               ### Presidents, Chair and Council  - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - 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