KKU hosts a memorial ceremony to honor His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla on the occasion of Mahidol Day.
On September 24, 2019, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (M.D.), an Advisor to Acting President, together with Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, an Assistant to President for Special Affairs, and KKU members attended a ceremony that was held at the ceremonial area around the monument of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla located in front of Srinagarind Hospital. The ceremony is held annually to mark Mahidol Day and to express gratitude and respect of KKU to His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, who is regarded as a father of Thai medical and public health sciences. In a ceremony chaired by Mr. Sattha Kachaplalayook, a deputy governor of Khon Kaen, the participants articulated the praising and gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla.
His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla was the 29th son of King Rama 5. He was born on January 1st, 1891. He completed his high school from England and studied military affairs in Germany before he would serve in the Thai Navy Force.
The Prince’s interest on pubic health was triggered after realizing that many Thai people at that time were suffering from health problems. He decided to attend Harvard Medical School to study medical sciences and public health. During his study there, His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, represented Thailand in negotiating with Rockefeller Foundation to ask for their support in raising the standard of Thai medical schools and hospitals. The prince set a beautiful charisma and role model for doctors and granted some medical scholarship and budget for the construction of many buildings to be used for medical purposes. He passed away on September 24, 1929, at the age of 37 years old.
Thanks to the Prince’s dedication to standardizing Thai medical and public health affairs, a Thai medical profession has appointed His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, as a farther of modern Thai medical and public health sciences and reckoned the September 24 as Mahidol Day, a day at which Thai people pay homage the mercy of the Prince for his concern for Thai people’s wellness.
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News/Photos: Boripat Thasee