Diary Prequel Package — page 335

considerable dilemma for the United States Embassy since they want to side with democracy; however, everyone knows that the democratically elected person is steeped in corruption. I actually wound up meeting the Prime Minister at the award ceremonies at the Royal Palace. There were several demonstrations while I was there in anticipation of the elections which took place after we left on February 2. The demonstrators wanted to block the election because they wanted to have reforms before the election. It is likely that the election will not come to majority vote and that a new government will have to be formed. There was a small amount of violence while I was there including someone throwing a hand grenade into a crowd of demonstrators as well as a person murdering one of the leaders of demonstrators. We were never in any danger as we were always accompanied by a police escort. I also learned a lot about Prince Mahidol, who was the father of the current king, who is very ill. Prince Mahidol started off as a naval officer (trained in Germany, but then when he realized the poor health conditions in his country, he wanted to do something about it. He wanted to learn Medicine first and so he went to Harvard Medical School and graduated cum laude. He is considered the father of health care in his country. This was truly a memorable trip from so many standpoints. Feb. 3, 2014 - Just back from Thailand and extremely jet-lagged and also somewhat ill with URI. Probably got it form Chris who had been sick as well as the fact that I was travelling for over 24 hours in a plane. Did interview with Washingtonian magazine regarding my opinion of the movie "Dallas Buyer's Club", great movie starring Matthew McConaughey about an HIVinfected individual in the early 1980s who did not want to take AZT because he felt that it was too toxic and started a buyer's club to buy and sell unproven drugs. Great performance (likely an Oscar - did win Golden Globe already). They called me because I was there when it happened and also I was the one that started the AZT distribution system through a contract paid for by NIAID. Met in Building 10 with Sen. Durbin (D-IL) and then a separate meeting with Congressman Pitts (R-PA) regarding NIH accomlishments and implications of a bad budget. Durbin is new Chair of the Defense Approp. Subcommittee and unfortunately he wants to get more money for biomedical research for Dod. Menas well but does not appreciate that it may not be well-spent. February 5, 2014 - went to the NIH FDA leadership Council meeting at the new FDA headquarters in Silver Spring. I presented the NIAID strategic approach towards antimicrobial resistance research. The FDA presentation was made by Dr. Peter Lurie. In attendance were Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Peggy Hamburg, members of the FDA, as well as members of the NIH. This is an initiative in which we will be engaging industry in trying to get expedited approval for antibiotics against resistant organisms. February 7, 2014 - went to the American Society of Microbiology annual Public and Scientific Affairs Board meeting at their headquarters on 1752 - N Street, NW., Washington, DC. I do this every year and update the group on activities of NIH and NIAID. As usua,l my presentation was extremely well received by the group. These are people who are great supporters of me and my role as the director of and NIAID.