Modern veterinary medicine of the Siamese government during the reign of King Chulalongkorn
Issued Date
2022-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16867459
eISSN
28220668
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105010919373
Journal Title
Journal of Thai Studies
Volume
18
Issue
2
Start Page
1
End Page
25
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Thai Studies Vol.18 No.2 (2022) , 1-25
Suggested Citation
Boontanondha T. Modern veterinary medicine of the Siamese government during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. Journal of Thai Studies Vol.18 No.2 (2022) , 1-25. 25. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111362
Title
Modern veterinary medicine of the Siamese government during the reign of King Chulalongkorn
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
After signing the Bowring Treaty in the reign of King Mongkut, rice became the most significant export of Siam. At the same time, the demand for rice rapidly increased in foreign countries. Therefore, the Siamese government expanded the cultivated area by constructing more canals. However, expanding the cultivated area was not the only factor needed to increase the agricultural product. Decreasing the mortality rate of food-producing animals, including cattle, buffaloes, pigs and sheep, was another factor contributing to the increase of agriculture products. Therefore, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, which was the age that Siam received knowledge and technology from the West, the Government decided to hire Western veterinarians to serve the government. Simultaneously, a school of veterinary medicine was established for training Thai veterinarians. After that, the knowledge of veterinary science was used to prevent and control epidemics in animals through animal quarantine and vaccination. Furthermore, the influence of the West on animal welfare also encouraged the government to enact laws relating to animal welfare of livestock that would be sent to foreign countries.