Our History

Thailand used to only have temporary hospitals to care for patients during virus outbreaks. Until 1888 (2431 BE), there were no permanent civil hospitals.

Creation of the Department of Nursing

Under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (left on the image below) the Department of Nursing was established on December 25, 1888, under the Ministry of Education. The first permanent hospital was constructed and completed in 1888 named the Siriraj Hospital, named after Siriraj Kakudhabhand, the King's child son who had died of dysentery. The Department of Nursing was in charge of operating all hospitals in Thailand.

Transfer

In 1889 (2432 BE) the Department of Nursing was transferred to the Ministry of Education. Later, King Chulalongkorn dissolved the Department of Nursing aswell as its Director-General position in 1905 (2448 BE). The Ministry of Interior was left in charge of the hospitals the Department of Nursing was previously running.

Renaming

In 1916 (2459 BE), under King Vajiravudh the Department of Nursing was renamed to the Department of Public Administration, the renaming was an administrative change and not a continuation of the old department.

Establishment of the Ministry of Public Health

In 1918 (2461 BE), the Department of Public Administration was renamed the Department of Public Health, with Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi appointed as the new Director-General. The department was a part of Ministry of the Interior until it became the Ministry of Public Health in 1942 (2485 BE), under the reign of King Mahidol. King Mahidol is now revered as the Thai Father of Modern Medicine, his efforts laying the groundwork for the development of Thailand's healthcare system. (depicted right on the image below)

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