Public Health in Modern Siam: Elite Thinking, External Pressure, and Popular Attitudes

Abstract

Several recent studies have argued that the Siamese government’s early interest in public health was motivated by ideas of modernization. This article examines the motivations of key figures in policy making, as well as the roles of public opinion and international pressure. Although a Thai term for “public health” was coined in 1918, government was motivated more by traditional ideas of charity than modern ideas of state responsibility. Prior to 1932, the state’s provision of medical services was very limited, and people relied more on private hosiptals and pharmacies.