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The Light of Dharma July 2020 – June 2021 53
Khitjea-ear Home Songtek Building, the location of the first period of
Phuket Mission Hospital
hospital and the Home ceased In 1940 Dr. Arthur Gesgee, an
operations decades ago. American physician, with the support of
In the year 1916, King Rama VI Luang Chanathornnithet (Tanchengho
visited the southern region including the Thongtan) and the Seventh-Day
city of Phuket where he announced the Adventist Church, opened a medical
building of a new hospital. He granted clinic at Songtek building, Dibuk road
royal property plus 30,000 baht from the (now the location of the Thaihua Club).
budget of the Ministry of Interior to But it had to be closed during the
launch its construction. There were second world war (1939-1945) and
wealthy and civil servants (of Chinese reopening in 1951. Dr.Franklin Crider
descent) in Phuket also added to His then commenced practicing at the same
Royal Highness’ donation. People such building and eventually expanded it to
as Phra Borirak Lohawisai (Khoyujai Na include two of the adjoining buildings
Ranong, 4,156.40 baht), Luang and ten new extra beds. In 1962, it was
Bunphatphanit (Limsengtiw Bunho 6,000 renamed the Mission Phuket Hospital.
baht), Khun Wiset Nukoonkit (Tan-engkee Luang Anuphat Phuketkarn (Tanjin-nguan
Udomsab contributed to build a patient Hongyok) gave 25 rai of land on
care ward). By including the public Thepkrasattree road to be the new
health hospital (in Khaorang, Yaowarat location of this hospital and it open in
road) at the same location, the newly 1965 with 30 patient beds.
constructed,“Vachira Phuket Hospital” Wealthy Chinese and Thai Chinese
opened on January 1st, 1920. Phuket’s who have contributed to the
wealthy Chinese descendants, who often development of these communities over
donate large amounts of money for new the years, are all previous mine owners
construction works and the purchase or, were involved in associated tin
equipment, have supported it ever since. mining businesses in Phuket.
