History of Rajavithi Hospital

   Rajavithi Hospital was founded on 16th April, 1951, named as
   “Women Hospital” in the government of Field Marshal Plaek
   Phibunsongkhram to be   the first hospital particularly for
   women and children of Thailand directed by   Praphon
   Sereerat, MD for the Hospital Director. One month later, Sem  
   Phringphuangkaew, MD was nominated as the Hospital Director.
   
The hospital  was reliable among a lot of people to use the treatment service. Especially  for the first successful operation of Thailand to separate the Siamese twins, Wandee and Sriwan, the hospital became very famous.

The hospital was then changed from curing women to become the hospital treating general diseases not only for some restricted sex and age. In 1976, King Rama IX kindly gave the new name as “Rajavithi Hospital”. In 1982, the building was constructed for diagnosing the diseases and treating the patients. It was the 12-floor building where Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn kindly gave the name as “Sirindhorn Building”.

Later in 1988, the Heart Disease Center was founded and renowned when the Domino Heart Transplantation was firstly successful in Thailand and Asia. Afterwards, it was developed to become the Heart Institute, Department of Medical Services, to serve the public health policy B.E.2532 as well as founding the Center of Urolithiasis. Later in 1994, the accident and emergency building was opened. The water treatment building was constructed. The project was planned for constructing 12-floor parking building with the large auditorium and parking lot.

At present, the hospital is also responsible for the teaching of medical students, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Department of Clinic, 4th – 6th years. This was the cooperating institute to produce doctors with Department of Medical Services and Rangsit University. The cooperation in producing doctors was performed between public and private sectors. Being founded in 1941, Rajavithi Hospital had 13 directors as listed with the names as follows:

1. Sem Phringphuangkaew, MD A.D.1951 – 1967
2. Nipon Suwatthana, MD A.D. 1959 – 1967
3. Kamon Sinthuwanon, MD A.D.1967 – 1971
4. Sommart Sumanyaman, MD A.D. 1971 – 1977
5. Sarot Atthawipat, MD A.D.1977 – 1987
6. Boonthan Somboon, MD A.D. 1987-1992
7. Chart Pitchayangkoon, MD A.D. 1992 – 1994
8. Thanongsan Suthatham, MD A.D. 1994 – 1997
9. Sunthorn Attarasen, MD A.D.1997 – 2000
10. Surawit Techathuwanon, MD A.D. 2000 – 2004
11. Jetsada Chokdamrongsuk, MD A.D. 2005 – 2008
12. Warunee Jinarat, MD A.D. 2008 – present.