National Health Day in Thailand Date in the current year: November 27, 2024

Before the late 19th century, Thailand had no permanent hospitals to provide proper healthcare to people. During epidemics, the government would set up temporary makeshift hospitals to care for the sick, but they were disbanded as soon as the epidemic subsided.

The first hospital in Thailand was opened by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), whose reign is now remembered as a period of modernization and social reforms. He decided to open a hospital in Bangkok after a worldwide cholera outbreak and his 18-month-old son’s death from dysentery. The hospital was founded in 1888. It was named Siriraj Hospital in honor of the late prince.

The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand was founded over five decades later, during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII). Although it was officially established on March 10, 1942, following the enactment of the Ministries and Departments Reorganization Act, the date November 27 was chosen as its official foundation anniversary in 1966.

The structure of the Ministry includes the Office of the Minister, the Office of the Permanent Secretary, seven departments (Mental Health, Disease Control, Health, Medical Services, Medical Sciences, Health Service Support, Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine), the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, and a number of public organizations (National Institute for Emergency Medicine, National Health Security Office, Health Systems Research Institute, National Vaccine Institute, Healthcare Accreditation Institute, Ban Phaeo Hospital).

The Ministry of Health of Thailand has about 400,000 employees, and National Health Day can be considered their professional holiday. On November 27, they accept congratulations and acknowledgements for their contribution to the development of healthcare in Thailand.