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Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital

Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, located in Si Racha District, Chon Buri Province, provides the general public medical services, rehabilitation services, and health promotion. It also supports health trainings and activities as well as the Thai Red Cross Society missions in the vicinity.

History

Somdej Phra Srisavarin Thira Borom Racha Thevi Phra Phanvassa Aiyikachao, when she was Queen Savang Vadhana, a royal consort of King Chulalongkorn, was seriously ill by grief at the loss of her children- Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis and a young princess.

In 1897, on doctor’s advice, King Chulalongkorn sought a seaside resort where the Queen could undergo medical treatment, and he had the Queen moved to Bang Phra Sub-district in Chon Buri Province. At that time, Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (Choem Saengxuto) had been appointed to administer a forestry company in Si Racha, so he was assigned to take care of the Queen. He had a large wooden house built in the grounds of his residence, approximately 40 meters from the beach, and invited the Queen to live there in 1899.

While living in Si Racha, the Queen noticed that though local people were suffering from sickness, the district had no nearby hospitals and access to medical equipment. She then initiated an establishment of a hospital to provide medical services for people in Si Racha, and it was established on 10 September 1902, which was the Queen’s birthday. Later, when King Chulalongkorn came to visit this consort he named the Hospital, Somdej Hospital,” which has been considered to be an auspicious name ever since.

Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital is considered as one of the first hospitals in Thailand and the first in the Eastern Region of the country to offer medical treatment relied on science and Western knowledge. At that time, it was not convenient for patients to visit the hospital, so the Queen initiated the establishment of a mobile medical unit to reach people in remote areas. The mobile medical unit made use of carts to carry medicines and medical equipment and to transport doctors to provide in the vicinity. The Queen’s initiative later became the prototype for the national mobile medical unit.

 

Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital
209 Jermjormpol Road, Si Racha District, Chon Buri Province 20110
Tel.: +66 3832 0200-49
Fax: +66 3831 1008
Website: www.somdej.or.th