Thian Hee

Who was Thian Hee?

Thian Hee or Thian-hee Sarasin was also known by his aristocratic title Phraya Sarasinsawamiphakh. Thian Hee was born in Thailand to a Thai mother and Chinese father. He came from a line of wealthy rice traders and pharmacists who had immigrated from Hainan Province, China to reside in the largely mercantile Thonburi province across the river from Bangkok. At a young age he was taken to America by a missionary to pursue his studies. He is noted as being the first Thai to have studied in America. He finished his studies in medicine at Columbia University in 1871. He returned to Thailand as the country's first ever medical doctor.

He was a prominent military doctor and accompanied the army on expeditions to Laos under Chao Phraya Surasakdi Montri during the Haw Wars of 1865-1890. Malaria proved to be a more formidable foe than the Haw and Thian Hee was largely occupied with administering quinine to infected troops. A photograph now on view at Vimanmek Palace depicts Thian Hee handing the last bottle of quinine to the commanding general to prove the scarcity of their supplies.