“A school of medical practitioners,” it was once known. Now, we stand before the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. It is part of Mahidol University. This faculty is not just old. It is the oldest and largest medical school in Thailand. It is the oldest of any kind of university faculty in Thailand.
Founded in 1889, the faculty works with Siriraj Hospital. Siriraj Hospital was Thailand’s first public hospital. This partnership gives students vital clinical experience. The campus is in the Bangkok Noi District. It sits on the former Rear Palace grounds. Each year, the medical school welcomes around 250 undergraduates. Over 100 students join for postgraduate studies.
King Chulalongkorn established Siriraj Hospital in 1888. He named it after his deceased son, Prince Siriraj Kakudhabhand. At that time, modern medical professionals were scarce. Many were unwilling to work for the government. To solve this, the Bhatayakorn School opened in May 1889. It aimed to train medical practitioners. Students with Mattayom education could attend for free. The course lasted three years. George B McFarland was the sole teacher at first.
King Chulalongkorn renamed the school on May 1, 1893. It became Rajapaethayalai or Royal Medical College. McFarland became the school’s first director. They constructed new facilities and dormitories. The course expanded to four years in 1903. In 1913, natural sciences were added. The course then became five years long. Traditional Thai Medicine was removed in 1915. Pharmacy was established instead.
Rajapaethayalai joined Chulalongkorn University on April 6, 1917. It became the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University. Later, it was renamed Faculty of Medicine and Siriraj Hospital. The medical course grew to six years in 1918. The first four years covered pre-clinical studies. These took place at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The last two years focused on clinical work at Siriraj Faculty.
Prince Mahidol negotiated with the Rockefeller Foundation in 1921. He sought aid for Siam’s medical education system. Experts from the Foundation reformed the medical education. Professor A.G. Ellis introduced pathology. In 1928, medical certificates were first awarded to graduates. The first postgraduate and female medical students graduated in 1932.
Under General Phibun’s government, changes occurred. The Siriraj Faculty of Medicine separated from Chulalongkorn University. Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Science also separated. They formed the University of Medical Sciences on February 7, 1943. In 1958, the Medical Science Preparatory School was created. It is now the Faculty of Science at Mahidol University. First-year students received preliminary education there. The Siriraj Faculty became one of several medical schools. They were all within the University of Medical Sciences.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej renamed the university on February 21, 1969. It became Mahidol University. The school was then named Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The “and” was removed from the name. The Salaya campus was finished in 1983. The Faculty of Science moved there partially. Siriraj’s first-year students began studying at Salaya.
Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and the Rockefeller Foundation supported Siriraj. It transformed into a leading medical center in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Today, the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital continues this legacy. It remains a vital institution for medical education and research. It is one of the two medical schools within Mahidol University. Its sister school is the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital.
Before we move on, take a moment to appreciate the long journey. The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital has shaped medical practices in Thailand. It has trained countless doctors. It continues to advance medical knowledge and patient care.