Public healthcare facilities or modern hospitals only became available in Siam in the late 19th century. But the number and quality of facilities were still insufficient to meet the rising public demand. When H.M. the King Vajiravudh ascended to the throne, he follow a royal tradition that Kings of Siam would build temples and monasteries in order to contribute to Buddhism. However at the time, there were already large numbers of religious sites in Bangkok, so H.M. the King Vajiravudh decides on building a hospital instead, as to improve the lives of citizens, providing efficient primary healthcare. He donated money from his own private funds for the establishment of the hospital. The hospital was built in an area once called “Himmapan Garden” located in the northern part of Bangkok, near the bank of Chao Phraya River. The hospital was opened by King Vajiravudh on January 2, 1913. The King named the hospital "Wachiraphayaban" translated "Vajira Healthcare" or simply "Vajira Hospital". The Hospital was appointed to the Ministry of Metropolis for administration, but currently operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It was one of the earliest built modern hospitals in Bangkok, serving areas of northern Bangkok and northern part of Thonburi areas. In 1923, Prince Mahidol, the father of Thai modern medicine, was appointed director of the Hospital. Vajira hospital underwent immense changes and improvements. It expanded from its historic site next to Samsen road to the edges of the Chao Phraya River. In 1954 it became a teaching hospital for its nursing school, now Kuakarun college of nursing. In 1985 it became a Medical School known as the Faculty of Medicine Srinakharinwirot University. Srinakharinwirot medical student attend clinical years training at Vajira hospital. Later on in 1993 the BMA Medical College was established, which headquarters here in Vajira hospital. BMA medical students spends their pre-clinic years at Mahidol University and clinic years in Vajira hospital. At the time Vajira hospital handles over 600 medical students, in clinic years alone. By 1998 Vajira Hospital and BMA Medical College were merged to form a unity in healthcare services and education, under the name "BMA Medical College & Vajira Hospital". In 2010 BMA Medical College & Vajira Hospital along with Kuakarun College of Nursing joined to form a new University named University of Bangkok Metropolis, with the medical school's name changed to "Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, University of Bangkok Metropolis".
