Pierra Vejjabul
Encyclopedia
Pierra Vejjabul was the first female physician of Thailand
.
Pierra was born in Lampang
, Thailand to Trongkij Hoontrakul, a well-to-do merchant, and Phant Hoontrakul, who was his third wife. She was the last child of the family. She was educated in Bangkok
at Saovabha and Saint Joseph Convent Schools, and graduated from secondary school in 1925. She then took up a teaching position at Assumption Convent and Saint Joseph Convent Schools.
Inspired to study medicine by a French doctor who helped her mother, upon graduation Pierra had applied for training at the Medical School at Siriraj Hospital, but was rejected as the school did not accept females at the time. At the age of sixteen, against her father's wishes, she left for Saigon, where she studied French for one year with the support of Catholic nuns. She then left for France
, where she obtained a medical education at the University of Paris
, graduating in 1936 and then returning to practise in Thailand.
Under her influence, prostitution
was outlawed by the Thai government in the early 1960s.
She later took a position in the Thai Ministry of Public Health
's Department of Venereal Diseases.
She later adopted the surname Veijjabul,The meaning of this word is unclear, some sources having "great woman doctor" and others having "complete doctor". which was granted by Princess Mother Srinagarindra
during the premiership of Plaek Pibulsonggram
.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Pierra was born in Lampang
Lampang
Lampang, also called Nakhon Lampang to differentiate from Lampang Province, is the third largest town in northern Thailand and capital of Lampang Province and the Lampang district. Traditional names for Lampang include Wiang Lakon and Khelang Nakhon. The city is still growing rapidly as trading...
, Thailand to Trongkij Hoontrakul, a well-to-do merchant, and Phant Hoontrakul, who was his third wife. She was the last child of the family. She was educated in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
at Saovabha and Saint Joseph Convent Schools, and graduated from secondary school in 1925. She then took up a teaching position at Assumption Convent and Saint Joseph Convent Schools.
Inspired to study medicine by a French doctor who helped her mother, upon graduation Pierra had applied for training at the Medical School at Siriraj Hospital, but was rejected as the school did not accept females at the time. At the age of sixteen, against her father's wishes, she left for Saigon, where she studied French for one year with the support of Catholic nuns. She then left for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where she obtained a medical education at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, graduating in 1936 and then returning to practise in Thailand.
Under her influence, prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
was outlawed by the Thai government in the early 1960s.
She later took a position in the Thai Ministry of Public Health
Ministry of Public Health (Thailand)
The Ministry of Public Health , is a Thai government body responsible for the oversight of Public Health in Thailand.-External links:* - Official Website in Thai* - Official Website in English...
's Department of Venereal Diseases.
She later adopted the surname Veijjabul,The meaning of this word is unclear, some sources having "great woman doctor" and others having "complete doctor". which was granted by Princess Mother Srinagarindra
Srinagarindra
Srinagarindra was a member of the Thai Royal Family and was a member of House of Mahidol, which is descended from Chakri Dynasty, originated by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, the Prince of Songkla, son of King Chulalongkorn...
during the premiership of Plaek Pibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
.
Resources
- The Christian herald, v. 87 (1964) http://books.google.ca/books?cd=1&id=6xjcAAAAMAAJ&dq=christian+herald%2Bvejjabul&q=Vejjabul#search_anchor, reprinted in: Reader's Digest, v. 85, no. 508, Aug. 1964 http://books.google.com/books?id=i7wnAQAAIAAJ&q=Vejjabul&dq=Vejjabul&cd=7