Hospital Construction Project

Since His Majesty the King gave his permission to arrange the Royal wedding on January 3rd, 1997, at the end of the year 1929, Prime Minister Thanin Kraivichien and his cabinet had considered and unanimously agreed that the government and public should show their loyalty on this occasion. Preparation for presenting the gift to HRH was started by His Excellency Prime Minister Thanin Kraivichien, head of the government who referred to His Majesty the King ‘s speech. According to a part of the Prime Minister’s speech “ His Majesty the King often mentioned about his loyal subjects should show their loyalty through merit making only. Therefore, the cabinet agreed that the public and the government should show the loyalty together through merit making in order to benefit the whole society. The historical event of the Ministry of Public Health happened on December 28th 1929 during the meeting to prepare the gift between His Excellency Prime Minister Thanin Kraivichien and Professor Naval Lieutenant Medical Doctor Yongyut Sujjavanit, Minister of the Ministry of Public Health at the Government House. It was stated in the following memorandum regarding the construction of the Crown Prince Hospital that should be disseminated and known among the next generation.

“ The morning of December 28th 1996, approximately 7:30 A.M., I received a call from His Excellency Prime Minister Thanin Kraivechien, asking for my presence at the Government House to discuss the official business. He started by formal question, “ For the Royal Wedding Day of HRH and M.L Somsawalee Kittiyakorn, what do you think should be the best and appropriated gift?” I asked the Prime Minister what on his mind. He replied “Hospital” which I immediately agreed. When this matter was presented to the cabinet meeting, all Ministers agreed with the idea and suggested the nationwide donations. The proper location was also discussed in the meeting. Meanwhile, many hospitals in the Bangkok Metropolitan area were over crowded with patients. Some Minister agreed that it was proper to construction large size hospital, with medical doctors in every discipline to provide treatment along with Ramathibodi Hospital. I gave his opinion on the donation that if it was the nationwide donation, the construction of hospital within the Metropolitan area might not be suitable and also 250 districts were without the hospitals. The local people living in those districts, sub districts and villages usually received only traditional treatment during the illness. Therefore, hospital construction at districts in different regions should be best appropriated as to spread HRH grandeur throughout the regions. When the construction was completed, the hospital should be under the care of the Ministry of Public Health. Every Minister agreed to the whole idea. Then, the Prime Minister presented to His Majesty the King, begging for his royal permission to name it as “ The Crown Prince Hospital”. For the construction site, I have suggested to the cabinet at the district that has been penetrated by the Communist’s uprising to take care the local people in the districts, sub districts and villages including the police, soldiers and volunteers who have risk their lives to protect the country. The cabinet was unanimously agreed to the proposal”. This memorandum has shown that the government was concern of the people in the faraway places who must risk their lives. Although, during that time the construction might not be as convenience as present and some suggested the large size hospital should be constructed in Bangkok to benefit most people in the country and give opportunity to the locals in the faraway places to access the Public Health services. The Crown Prince Hospital was established since then.