On behalf of the Organizing Committee and Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, it is my distinct honor and heartfelt pleasure to welcome you to the 14th Asia-Pacific Medico-Legal Agencies (APMLA) Annual General Meeting and Conference 2026, to be held on 1–3 July 2026 at the Centara Hotel Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. This year’s conference is held under the theme “Preparing Forensic Medicine for Climate-Driven Disasters” — a theme that resonates with profound urgency and personal meaning for our host city.

In November 2025, Hat Yai was struck by one of the most devastating floods in its history, when a record 630 millimeters of rainfall fell over just 72 hours — an event described by experts as comparable to a once-in-300-years occurrence. The disaster claimed at least 145 lives across southern Thailand, with Songkhla province accounting for more than 100 of those fatalities, and affected nearly 244,000 people across approximately 105,000 households in Hat Yai alone. It is in the spirit of remembrance, resilience, and responsibility that we gather here — to honor those affected, to learn from what occurred, and to strengthen our collective preparedness for the climate-driven disasters that forensic medicine must be ready to face. The program features inspiring keynote lectures, thought-provoking panel discussions, oral presentations, and hands-on workshops, all designed to foster meaningful dialogue and shape the future of our field.

Beyond the conference halls, we warmly invite you to discover the remarkable region in which we gather. Hat Yai — the vibrant commercial heart of southern Thailand — is a city of extraordinary resilience, warmth, and multicultural charm, now rebuilding and welcoming the world with open arms. Just a short distance away lies Songkhla, a city of rare beauty and historical depth, nestled between the Gulf of Thailand and the vast Songkhla Lake — earning it the poetic title of the “City of Two Seas.” In 2025, Songkhla province was officially designated a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of Gastronomy — a recognition that honors its extraordinary culinary heritage rooted in its unique geography, diverse ecosystems, and centuries of Chinese, Malay, Persian, and Thai cultural influences. From steaming dim sum at dawn to freshly caught seafood along the shores of Songkhla Lake and Samila Beach, and pulled Thai tea (teh tarik) with roti at night, the flavors of this region are an experience not to be missed.

We look forward to welcoming you not only to a scientifically rich and impactful program, but also to an unforgettable experience in one of Thailand’s most resilient, culturally vibrant, and gastronomically celebrated destinations. Together, let us turn the lessons of tragedy into a legacy of preparedness.