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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

was the next president of the society from 1920 to 1955. Subsequently, Queen Sirikit,

the Queen mother of King Rama X, succeeded as the third president of the society since 1955.
At present, Princess Sirindhorn is the executive vice president of the society and King Rama X

has brought the society under his patronage. (Thai Red Cross Society, 2024) In addition,
Queen Saovabha Bhongsri established the first nursing school in Thailand upon the

recommendation of Dr. Hans Adamsen (Phra Bumbud Subpharoke), an obstetrician at
Siriraj Hospital, to support the advancement of nursing field in Thailand along with that of

medicine. (Bunnag, 2021)
In the reign of King Rama VI, the existing medical education was substandard. The king then

directed the Siam government to collaborate with the Rockefeller Foundation in this matter.
Notably, Prince Chainatnarentorn, the 58 prince of King Rama V, and Prince Mahidol, the 69 th
th
prince of King Rama V, were devoted to improve the standard of medical school and nursing
school. The two princes were raised together by Queen Savang Vadhana from childhood.

A graduate in the field of education from Germany, Prince Chainatnarentorn lengthened the
medical education from 4 years to 5 years and required 6 years in secondary school for

enrollment in 1917. He also initiated premedical science in the first 2 years of the new medical
education course. In 1915, he discontinued Thai traditional medicine course as medical

students could not handle both disciplines simultatneously. In 1916, he visited medical schools
and public health schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Phillipines under the invitation by

the Rockefeller foundation. He emphasized the concept of “medicine is a true science” to
improve the standard of medical school. In 1917, he was appointed director of the university

department to supervise Chulalongkorn University and the faculty of medicine that once was
the Royal Medical College at Siriraj Hospital. In 1918, he was appointed director of public health

department that later changed to Ministry of Health in 1942. (Sangvichien & Thongtang, 2011)
In 1916, Prince Chainatnarentorn and Mom Chao Boonsrikasem Kasemsri invited

Prince Mahidol to help improve Siriraj Hospital, especially in medical education and services.
Prince Mahidol accepted the position as the representative of the Siam government to deal with

Rockefeller Foundation in bringing collaboration to improve the medical education in Thailand,
beginning in 1923. In order to understand medicine and publich health issues, Prince Mahidol

went to study at Harvard University and received a certificate in sanitary and public health
in 1921. He then received a medical degree with honor in 1928. Unfortunately, the prince

passed away on 24 September 1929, concluding his efforts of 12 years to improve medicine and
public health in Thailand. The results were impressive as Thai medical graduates were widely

accepted to study abroad and the nursing school was well recognized. Prince Mahidol also

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