National Nurses' Day
is an official commemorative day in Thailand declared on October 21.
It marks the birth anniversary of
Princess Srinagarindra, “the Royal Grandmother”.
This member of the Thai Royal Family
made a significant contribution to
the development of the country’s health system.
Princess Srinagarindra was born in October 21, 1900. At the age of thirteen, she became a student of Siriraj School for Midwifery and Nursing. In 1917, she was granted a scholarship provided by Prince Mahidol and went to the United States to continue her studies. There she met Prince Mahidol and married him in 1919. She helped her husband to reform health care in Thailand.
In 1929, Prince Mahidol died with chronic health problems. Upon Mahidol’s death, Princess Srinagarindra continued to provide scholarships to medical students and supplemented the salary for young medical specialists. She also continued to play a significant role in the field of nursing. Princess Srinagarindra founded the Nurses’ Association of Thailand of which she was also a board member. With her funds, the first national nursing convention in Thailand was organized in 1960. Hospital buildings and nursing schools were also built with her patronage.