Siriraj Hospital and Museum, Bangkok

On Tuesday a van from the largest hospital in Thailand picked us up in Ayutthaya and took us to Siriraj Hospital (Mahidol University Medical School) in Bangkok. This hospital/medical school was started by the H.M. King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1888 after losing his 1 + year-old son (Siriraj) due to the lack of available medical treatment. He realized if the King’s son could die due to poor medical help, so would many common citizens. Another of his sons went to Harvard medical school and became a doctor. He returned to help start the hospital and a medical school. Today, the hospital sees about 12,000 patients a day, including doctor visits. The hospital has also build a private hospital next door that promises great (fast service) at private hospital prices. Counting the hospital's, labs, medical university, the campus has 72 buildings, including one building with rooms like a hotel for families to stay while a loved one is a patient. 

Cute elephant made from bath towels

This private hospital's goal is to be recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country. After hearing Elder Sowards speak at the Thailand Quality Award conference, Dr. Cherdchai asked him to come observe their Lean processes and give ideas. He accepted, wanting to help Thailand through his own specialty. 

The hospital also has natural healing Thai services. They treated us both to a traditional Thai massage, which we enjoyed.

Students outside the museum. They flocked to
Elder Sowards when he began speaking in Thai to them.

Sister Sowards' guide on campus, Deiry, who spoke excellent English.

Elder Sowards with two doctors implementing "Lean" principles at the hospital.
Prof. Visit Vamvanit, MD, Elder Sowards, and Prof. Cherdchai Nopmaneejumruslers, MD

Our night view of Bangkok and Rama VIII Bridge.

The Thonburi railway station was once on this sight. Now the station is the Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum displaying the history of the hospital and medicine in Thailand, about the railway, and the artifacts found in the area--including a 24 meter long boat. It had been buried for over a hundred years and regarded the biggest wooden boat ever to be excavated in Thailand.


























This is a view of Rama VIII Bridge. It is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Construction of the bridge took place from 1999 to 2002. It made a spectacular view from our room.