Pierra Vejjabul ( th, เพียร เวชบุล, born Pierra Hoon, 27 November 1898 or 1909 – 20 April 1984) was one of the first female physicians of

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

. She was a pioneer in the field of

women's health Women's health differs from that of men in many unique ways. Women's health is an example of population health, where health is defined by the World Health Organization as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not mer ...

in Thailand.

Biography

Pierra was born in

Lampang Lampang, also called Nakhon Lampang ( th, นครลำปาง, ) to differentiate from Lampang province, is the third largest city in northern Thailand and capital of Lampang province and the Mueang Lampang district. Traditional names for La ...

, Thailand to Trongkij Hoontrakul, a well-to-do merchant, and Phant Hoontrakul, who was his third wife. She was the youngest child of the family. She was educated in

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...

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 , population_density_km2 = 4,292 , population_density_metro_km2 = 697.2 , population_demonym = Saigonese , blank_name = GRP (Nominal) , blank_info = 2019 , blank1_name = – Total , blank1_ ...

, where she studied French for one year with the support of Catholic nuns. She then left for

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, where she obtained a medical education at the

University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...

, graduating in 1936 and then returning to practise in Thailand. She took a position in the Thai Ministry of Public Health's Department of Venereal Diseases. She was a vocal activist on the welfare of prostitutes and their children, an issue ignored by society at large at the time, and dedicated herself to the issue. She founded the Pierra Maternity and Child Welfare Foundation, which under her leadership took over 4,000 abandoned children under its care. She later adopted the surname Vejjabul, which was granted by Princess Mother

Srinagarindra Princess Srinagarindra ( th, ศรีนครินทรา; ; 21 October 1900 – 18 July 1995) née Sangwan Talapat ( th, สังวาลย์ ตะละภัฏ; ) was a member of the Royal Thai Family and the House of Mahidol, whi ...

during the premiership of

Plaek Pibulsonggram Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram ( th, แปลก พิบูลสงคราม ; alternatively transcribed as ''Pibulsongkram'' or ''Pibulsonggram''; 14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964), locally known as Marshal P. ( th, จอมพล � ...

Notes

References

Resources

*The Christian herald, v. 87 (1964

reprinted in: Reader's Digest, v. 85, no. 508, Aug. 196

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vejjabul, Pierra Thai public health doctors, Pierra Vejjabul Pierra Vejjabul Pierra Vejjabul Women public health doctors 1909 births 1984 deaths Year of birth uncertain

Biography

See also

Notes

References

Resources