Nearly two decades after a devastating natural disaster brought them together, the bonds between BGI and its Thailand partners have only grown stronger, paving the way for groundbreaking health advancements in Thailand.

Preecha Laohapongchana, the Executive Director of Bangkok Genomics Innovation (BKGI, a Thai joint venture of BGI Group’s subsidiary BGI Genomics), couldn't have predicted 20 years ago that his professional trajectory would intersect with BGI's path following a monumental international humanitarian rescue operation that linked BGI with Thailand.

Preecha Laohapongchana, the Executive Director of Bangkok Genomics Innovation.

The Indian Ocean, usually perceived as vast and peaceful, proved to be dangerously deceptive. In December 2004, towering 30-meter waves unleashed by a 9.1 magnitude undersea earthquake ravaged Thailand's coastline, claiming thousands of lives in mere moments. “For those who died, we had to identify each body and where they came from,” Preecha reminisced.

Grieving family members and friends from around the globe flocked to Thailand and neighboring countries, desperate to retrieve their loved ones' remains. “But with the technology and capabilities available at the time, this (the identification) was very difficult,” Preecha acknowledged.

While the international rescue effort faced intense scrutiny and skepticism regarding its effectiveness, one team managed to stand out by successfully completing DNA identification for over 1,000 individuals without requesting any compensation.

The subsequent year, Preecha, representing the Thai government in his role as a Deputy Minister of Commerce, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, accepted the DNA identification results from the Chinese government. This act was a testament to the 30-year friendship between Thailand and China and a mark of respect for those who perished. Preecha later discovered, “It was the BGI team. Chairman Wang Jian led the team that conducted the investigations,” he said. “They were the ones who accomplished everything.”

Executives of Bangkok Genomics Innovation in a meeting.

The relationship between BGI and Thailand continued to flourish as the company first introduced its non-invasive prenatal testing, branded as 'NIFTY,' to the Thai population in 2012. This was followed by the launch of many other healthcare products, services, and research collaborations.

In 2017, Preecha reconnected with BGI during a visit to the company, where he met Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BGI Group. Preecha found assurance not only in his conversation with Wang Jian, whom he described as an “excellent visionary,” but also in BGI's actions that demonstrated the company's commitment to humanity. “The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami rescue effort confirms BGI's technological capabilities and their commitment to helping humanity. Whenever a problem arises, they volunteer to help immediately.”

Sharing a vision of "Omics of All," BGI Genomics and its Thai partners launched BKGI in 2017, aiming to enhance the health of the Thai population and the wider Southeast Asian community.

Goanpot Asvinvichit, Chairman of the Executive Committee of BKGI, illuminated the significance of this joint venture from a different perspective. “We must acknowledge that advancements in various fields, including biotechnology, are progressing rapidly compared to the past,” Goanpot observed. “Promoting knowledge and understanding of health screenings and preventative measures is crucial.”

Goanpot Asvinvichit, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bangkok Genomics Innovation.

Confident in BGI's international leadership in biotechnology, Goanpot believes the collaboration will significantly benefit BKGI, providing cutting-edge services that will improve Thailand's public health. “You can see that everything BGI continuously develops and innovates is beneficial to humanity. The company will contribute to achieving the national goals for Thailand,” he affirmed.

Reflecting on the enduring partnership, Goanpot commented, “The cooperation between BGI and BKGI clearly demonstrates BGI's great intention and determination in technology development.” He concluded, “This creates a comprehensive picture, which I believe will benefit Thailand in the long term.”

From donating test kits and testing equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic to partnering with top-tier local research institutes on the prevention and treatment of cancer and rare diseases, the efforts of BKGI and BGI have already made an indelible mark on the history of this Southeast Asian nation and the well-being of its residents. While there is still much to accomplish in terms of the identification, prevention and treatment of diseases, this presents even more reason for the partnership between BGI, BKGI and Thailand to continue to flourish and yield results in the coming decades that will benefit the health of Thai people.