The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) hosted its 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elected new executive committee on Sunday 20th March 2022 at the Rot Meu Mae Restaurant, Lak Si district in Bangkok. Strict COVID-19 prevention measures were followed to prevent the any transmission and all attendees were required to show a negative ATK or RT-PCR result tested within the last 48 hours prior to arrival, masks had to be worn at all time, and alcohol gels were available on-site.

RAST members began to arrive at the venue from 11:30 onwards to register and enjoy the lunch buffet which was free for children and youth under the age of 25 years old. A total of 65 members attended the event.

RAST President Dr. Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, formally opened the meeting at 13:00 and proceeded through the agendas as follows:

• - Actively participated in several contests under the callsign E2E from HS0AC-2 station in Pathumthani province.
• - RAST collaborated with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in satellite and space exhibition.
• - Hosted “RAST CW Challenge” to inspire new HAMs in the art of Morse code with the hope of putting more CW operators from Southeast Asia on the air.
• - Hosted “RAST Talks” via Zoom Meeting where experts in their chosen field gave a series of seminars to RAST members on topics concerning amateur radio and beyond.
• - E2HQ RAST-HQ Station participated in the IARU HF World Championship 2021.
• - RAST was the host for the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference where HS1FVL was re-elected as one of the Directors of the IARU Region 3.
• - RAST activated two special event stations (i) HS18IARU to commemorate the hosting of the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference, and (ii) HS400OZ to celebrate 400 years of good trade relationship between Thailand and Denmark.
• - RAST supported YOTA Thailand and Radio Scouting Thailand in hosting JOTA SSTV during the 64th JOTA-JOTI Jamboree.
• - RAST QSL Bureau summarized the number of incoming and outgoing QSL cards at 24,179 and 16,113, respectively.
• - And the general paid respect to silent key members including: HS1LCC, HS1OVH, HS1QVD, and E21JCN.

HS1FVL (left) presenting ICOM IC-G88T to E21CED (right) after winning the auction, sponsored by G. Simon Radio Co., Ltd.

(L-R) E21SNN, HS3NBR, HS2UPR, HS1JNB, HS2JFW

4. Mr. Thongpoon Saengthammarat was appointed as the auditor to oversee the accounts of RAST for 2022 and this was approved by the members.
5. Mr. Palakorn Noppaketjaras (DAN), HS0KRM, summarised the incoming and expenses of RAST over the past year on behalf of RAST Treasurer Pornpimol Suksansomphop, HS0VDX, who was unable to attend the AGM.
6. RAST Registrar, Acting 2nd Lt Neeranuch Muangamphan (JC), E20NKB, summarised the current membership.
7. As for the “any other business” that was raised up during the AGM (i) Mr. Pimchanok Palakawongse na Ayudhaya (Ray), E23PKO, proposed that RAST organises the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project to commemorate RAST 60th anniversary so that interested students can contact the ISS. This was approved by the general (ii) RAST presented a banner flag as a token of appreciation to all the Executive Committees whose term had just ended and to the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference Working Committee (iii). RAST awarded the Certificates to those who passed the Thai General License Examination held in January 2022.

8. Lastly, Mr. Sakol Nakin, HS1JNB, was appointed as President of Election to oversee the voting for new President of RAST and his 9 members of the Executive Committee for the next 2 years. Dr. Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, was the sole contender for RAST President and was again unanimously re-elected for 2022-2024.

The voters then filled in lists of up to 9 members on the ballot papers to elect their Executive Committee, and the counts were displayed digitally on the monitor screen. E21EIC, E20NKB and E25KAE asked to withdraw themselves from the nomination, and the following members who held the top 9 counts were automatically nominated as the Executive Committee for the next 2 years including: HS5NMF, E21FYK, E25GGT, HS1EFA, HS0KRM, E23PKO, HS1JZT, HS1AAZ and E23NEZ.

From here, HS1FVL as RAST President has the authority to appoint another 5 individuals of his choosing, and the Executive Committee can collectively appoint another 4 individuals to bring the total number of Executive Committee to 18 members, however the final list has yet to be announced.

The AGM 2021 ended at 1600 in high spirit and many congratulations to Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, and his Executive Committee on their newly appointed roles for 2022-2024.