
The 2012 Rotary International Convention set Thailand’s new page of history by creating “Thailand’s Biggest Smile”
with participation of 2012 Rotary members and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not to judge the event. The number 2012
reflects the convention year and is also the year Rotary members celebrate their success in raising more than $200
million (6.1 billion baht). This amount of money is the contribution by Rotary members worldwide under PolioPlus
program which will be used as new funding for polio eradication campaign in response to a $355 million
(10.9 billion baht) challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Furthermore, being held
in Thailand for the very first time, this smile-creation activity is also in accordance with 2012 Rotary International
Convention’s concept of “The Land of Thousand Smiles” in order to convey the friendliness of the Thais and
being the land of smile as well as to express Thailand’s hospitality in welcoming participants from the four corners
of the world.



