Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry

Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry
Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry
Department of Mental Health, MOPH
Geography
Location	Khlong San Subdistrict, Khlong San District, Bangkok, Thailand, Thailand
Organisation
Type	Specialist
Services
Beds	500
Speciality	Psychiatry
History
Former name(s)	Hospital for the Mentally Ill ; Thon Buri Psychosis Hospital
Opened	1 November 1889
Links
Lists	Hospitals in Thailand

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The Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, also known as Somdet Chao Phraya Hospital, is a psychiatric hospital located in Khlong San District, Bangkok, Thailand. It was established in 1889 as a mental asylum and is the second oldest hospital in Thailand. The hospital is known for its pioneering efforts in providing humane treatment for mentally ill patients.

History[edit | edit source]

The hospital was founded in 1889 at the request of King Chulalongkorn and initially occupied a five rai plot of land on the Chao Phraya River. It later moved to its current 44 rai campus. Originally named the "Hospital for the Mentally Ill," it was later renamed the "Thon Buri Psychosis Hospital." In 1954, the hospital's name was changed to "Somdet Chao Phraya Hospital" to remove the stigma associated with its former name. The new name was derived from Somdetchaopraya Road, where the institute is located.

In 1955, the hospital began offering training programs to increase expertise in psychiatry and mental health. This led to the establishment of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand. The hospital also opened a mental hygiene clinic and expanded its outpatient mental services.

Today, the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry is a specialist hospital with 500 beds. It continues to provide comprehensive psychiatric care and training programs in Thailand.