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HRH Prince Mahidol
of Songkla
The Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health of
Thailand
A Personal Side
Prince Mahidol of Songkla was a compassionate and patient man, well
loved by people who knew him.
He drove a red Fiat when he taught pre-medical studies at Chulalongkorn
University and often let his students ride with him if he saw them going
to class.
He also took them around in his car to see palaces and happily explained
to them the history of each location. Referred to as Thool Khra Mhom
Daeng, Prince Mahidol liked to adhere to strict rules and regulations.
This is clearly shown in his conversation with a Thai colleague at
the Royal Prussian Military Preparatory College at Potsdam. When asked
if the former was uncomfortable and tired with the strictness of the
military, he replied, "It's good. I like to be treated strictly.
I was too comfortable in Siam, with everyone giving me everything."
When he went to America, he also commented in a letter from Harvard
to his uncle how much he enjoyed the strict rules and regulations there.
He said that it made him learn life in the best of ways.
A down-to-earth man, who treated everyone on an equal basis, Prince
Mahidol, when studying abroad, took personal care of all Thai students
- from picking them up at the train station to visiting them when they
were sick, to teaching them how to blend in with the culture of that
country.
The Prince was also known for his careful spending and for his knack
of finding out which of the students who received his scholarships went
out a lot and did not study much. He would start by asking a casual
question, such as "Which cinema shows good movies"?
To which people who 'did not study much' would readily give answers.
The Prince would always find ways to teach the students how to spend
their money carefully.
Prince Mahidol led as simple a life as possible. When he was placed
in Dr. E.C. Court's care in Chiang Mai to work at McCormick Hospital,
he did not ask for any royal preparations or privileges. Instead, he
lived the way his host lived and ate the way they ate.
The Prince was seen at his happiest when talking and laughing alone
with his patients - always careful not to bring his royal entourage
so that the patients were not scared. As for his own health, the Prince
was not a strong man, but neither was he sickly.
Following his years abroad, he had anaemia (deficiency in the blood)
and kidney problems. He passed away of, among other complications, amoebic
liver abscess.
Prince Mahidol Exhibition
Hall
Established in 1994, the Prince Mahidol Exhibition Hall demonstrates
historical facts and official works on public health for research.
These include pictorial and written information on the Prince's life,
his work in medicine, health, improvement of medical education in Thailand
and his work with Siriraj Hospital, among others.
The Prince Mahidol Exhibition Hall is located in the Sayammin Building,
2nd Floor, Siriraj Hospital.
Open Monday - Friday at 09.00-15.00.
Please call before visiting: 0 2419 8286.
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