Modern Thai Medicine
Where traditional wisdom from the East meets a modern science from the West leading to the wellbeing of Thais.
Traditional Thai Midwifery (-1900) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Before the Modern Medicine... Traditional Thai Medicine
Traditional Thai Medicine focuses on medicine, pharmacy
(herbal remedies), Thai massage for treatment and traditional midwifery (postpartum care).
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan (1782) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Evidence of Traditional Thai wisdom is decorated in Wat Pho.
This temple, renovated in 16th century, has been claimed as the oldest university of Siam (Thailand).
Inscriptions of Traditional Thai Medicine, hermit stones, and a school of famous Thai massage are in here.
However, surgery has not been mentioned and no surgical objects found.
The Mural Painting with Dr Bradley (-1832) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
The Beginning of Surgery in Siam
In 1837, Dr. Dan Beach Bradley, the American missionary amputated an injured arm of a monk. This event was shown on mural painting in rayoon Wongsawas Worawihan Temple, the place nearby Dr. Bradley clinic. It was claimed as the first major surgery in Thailand.
Treatise of Midwifery
Dr. Dan Beach Bradley also published the obstetrics book translated from “Treatise of Midwifery”. It was the first western medicine textbook written in Thai.
The Early Growing
Having seen promising events such as surgery and small pox vaccination, Krom Luang Wongsa Dhiraj Snid, the imperial physician of King Rama III (1842-1851) also paid attention to Dr. Bradley’s work.
As his interest growing, he was the first Thai physician combined Traditional Thai and Western medicine in his treatment, for example; mixing quinine into bolus, that familiar to Thais.
With the success in combining traditional knowledge with western medicine, Krom Luang Wongsa Dhiraj Snid was granted honorary membership by numerous European and American medical societies as well as the recognition by the UNESCO as Scholar and Poet (1808-1871) for his prolific writer in the field of literature, history, politics, and, particularly in The Traditional Herbal Medicine.
Memorabilia from Royal Cremation of Prince Siriraj (1881) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
The Great Leap
The great leap in Thai medicine was when the first public hospital was established in 1888 in the reign of King Rama V.
The King named this hospital “Siriraj”, in memory of Prince Siriraj, after the young Prince got dysentery and passed away at a very young age.
“…After the misfortune that took the life of my beloved son, I was deeply saddened. I took very good care of my son, and yet he suffered the greatest misery.
How much more suffering must all the children of my destitute subjects have to endure?
This has added to my wish to establish a hospital…”
3D Version of Memorabilia from Royal Cremation of Prince Siriraj (1881) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Take a closer look to the exquisite detail of the commemorative box.
The Royal Cremation of Prince Siriraj (1881) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
The wood from the royal cremation of his beloved son and other three royal members would be dismantled and used for the continued construction of Siriraj Hospital.
Siriraj Hospital in the Early Age (-2443) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Siriraj - The first public hospital of Thailand.
Anatomical Class in the Early Years at Siriraj (-2443) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
The First Medical School
After the establishment of the hospital, the first medical school called "Paethayakorn School" was established and the modern medical education was started since then.
The medical school was established 2 years later. Initially curriculums include both traditional Thai and western medicine.
The First Corner Stone of Siriraj
Professor George B. McFarland was a son of American missionary who was born in Thailand. After graduated from a medical school in the United States where, he returned to teach modern medicine at the Royal Medical College for 34 years.
He was Thailand’s first emeritus professor and was honored as “The First Corner Stone of Siriraj”.
The medical teaching equipment used in the early period for over a hundred years ago is still well conserved and exhibited on the 2nd floor of Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum. This paper mache model of anatomy was used to replace fresh dissection of deceases.
The model of internal organs were movable and need precise steps to put them in a correct way.
The Bust of HRH Prince Mahidol (2014) by Sawai Lipsathien and Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
The Second Great Leap
About 30 years after the establishment of Siriraj medical school, one of the most important persons who helped improve the medical education, HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkhla who was the son of King Rama V, came along.
Prince Mahidol of Songkhla's MD Diploma (1928) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkhla graduated M.D. from Harvard University, USA in 1928.
While studying preclinical year, he applied for public health program and received certificate of from MIT.
He was the first Thai who had wide vision on public health.
The Father of Modern Thai Medicine
His great dedications to Thai medicine earned him the title of the Father of Modern Medicine by Thai people. He was also honored for his “Outstanding Personality” by the UNESCO.
The legacy of providing wellbeing towards Thai people was inherited to his sons King Rama VIII and King Rama IV and his grandson, the present King Rama x.
In the 100th Anniversary of his arrival in the United States of America, Harvard University honored HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkhla for his scientific excellence as well as to the important goal of improving the health of all citizens in Thailand, Asia, and globally.
The Significant Cooperation
One of the most important efforts of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was the co-operation with the Rockefeller Foundation to improve the medical education. Prince Mahidol represented the government of Siam to negotiate the matter himself.
He himself donated a large amount of money for new buildings and granted Thai doctors to study abroad, in order to be his successors.
The Development in Medical Education
The cooperation with the Rockefeller Foundation had brought many qualified foreign professors to help improve the curriculum. The constructions of many buildings, equipped with medical instruments also significantly pushed Siriraj forward.
The development of constructional plan
Medical classroom after the coopereation
Students studying with imported medical equipment
Professors in cooperation between Siriraj and the Rocketfeller Foundation
Professor Dr. A.G. Ellis
Among professors in cooperation with the Rockefeller Foundation, Professor Dr. A.G. Ellis was the first volunteered professor to come. He was an American pathologist who brought massive improvements into Thai Medicine.
He was later appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Siriraj Hospital in 1926 and the Rector of Chulalongkorn University in 1935 respectively.
Thailand's First Graduated M.D. (1928) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
After the cooperation, the graduate doctors had qualifications equivalent to the international standard.
Thailand's First Public Health Workshop (1924) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Public Health Workshop Course
The progress of Thais' healthcare was also expanded.
H.R.H. Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, H.R.H. Prince Rangsit of Jainad (the director of the Royal Medical College) in a photograph taken with lecturers and provincial doctors who attended at the country's first public health workshop course.
Radiation in the Early Period of Siriraj Hospital (-1947) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
Health Service for Thai People
From the past to the present, Siriraj Hospital provides medical services both traditional and modern medicine and also integrated therapy that cover all fields of medicine.
An MRI Equipment at Siriraj (-2013) by Siriraj Bimuksthan MuseumSiriraj Bimuksthan Museum
After years of treatments, the first public hospital have served and provide good health for the country for over 130 years.
Health Literacy in Siriraj
Many specimens and medical equipment, some of which are very rare, have been collected and exhibited in the museum for further education.
Some affected organs are displayed to alert the self-awareness of the people to stay away from those conditions and continue promoting the wellbeing of Thai people in
Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum.
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