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Abstract

The main purpose of this research paper is to point out the important changes in the area of

medical practice and public health between 1925 -1934, when King Prajadhipok ruled the country.

Historical methodology, which in this case means to survey, to gather, to evaluate and then to analyze

primary documents - both published and unpublished - from the time under study, is thus used to

fulfil this goal. After finishing analyzing the documents, the results would be presented as a narrative

historical report.

The results show that, when talking about policies and actions taken in the field of medical

practice and public health under the reign of Rama VII, there was – under the process of modernizing

the country - continuity from the former two kings. Rama V just started to include western medical

practice - organizations were established as well as some practices - to be a part of building up Siam

under the system of absolute monarchy. As Rama VI ruled the country, Siam’s bureaucracy was

growing enough to cover the whole country and thus so complex with several departments. Works
related to practice and public health were therefore meant to be set up in the department of Public

Health alone in the hope to strengthen their roles, even though it was successful only legally.

Practically, more time was needed since changes were necessary in many points. Things were much

better as King Prajadhipok began to rule in 1925 and nine years of his reign was a time to gain and

establish knowledge from a lesson learnt in the reform. Efforts were made to centralize the
bureaucratic structure of public health as well as to find a way to manage issues in this field, especially

by trying to establish a municipality. The success showed itself clearly in the end of King Prajadhipok’s

reign after the revolution in 1932.

In context of world history, the time of King Prajadhipok’s reign lays between the first and the

second World War. This time was important since there were some changes in the world order. As

part of this, international organization for health issues was established. Thailand, as its member, must
follow its policies and regulations in several topics, including drugs, quarantine of patients, medical

education and prevention as well as disposal of serious diseases. In doing this, Thailand but did have

a chance to build up her identity in the world of imperialism and get recognized as an independent

country, that followed world regulations.

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