Jurisdiction Government of Thailand | Website www.moph.go.th | |
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Headquarters Nonthaburi Province Thailand Minister responsible Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Minister of Public Health Agency executive Dr.Sopon Mekthon, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Health | ||
The Ministry of Public Health (Thai: กระทรวงสาธารณสุข; rtgs: Krasuang Satharanasuk; Abrv: MOPH), is a Thai governmental body responsible for the oversight of public health in Thailand.
History
In Thailand before 1888 there were no permanent, public hospitals to provide care to sick people. Temporary hospitals were set up to care for patients during epidemics, then disbanded when the epidemic subsided. Under King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) a hospital was constructed and completed in 1888 and named "Siriraj Hospital" in commemoration of the king's young son, Prince Siriraj Kakuttaphan, who had died of dysentery.
During the reign of King Rama VIII, the Ministry of Public Health was established on 10 March 1942 as a result of the enactment of the Ministries and Departments Reorganization Act (Amendment No. 3) of B.E. 2485. Later in 1966, the date 27 November was chosen as the commemoration day of the Ministry of Public Health's foundation.