History
Professor Emeritus Lieutenant Commander Dr. Uay Ketusingh was a Thai physician born on September 3, 1908, in Bangkok. He graduated with first-class honors in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine and Siriraj Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, and then received a scholarship to further his studies at a university in Germany. Upon his return, he became a professor in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Uay was highly regarded as a physician with a profound understanding of Buddhism, skillfully applying Buddhist teachings to patient care and pioneering modern medicine in Thailand. At the same time, he was a pioneer in applying scientific and medical knowledge and is known as the “Father of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine.”
Uay was born on September 3, 1908, in Rangsit Subdistrict, Rangsit District, Bangkok, the second son of a Deputy High Official. Luang Sri Navaphol (U Ketusingh) and Mrs. Lukchan Sri Navaphol had seven siblings. Auy received his education in Thai, English, and poetry from his father before entering school, and was instilled with moral and ethical values by his grandmother. Auy began his primary education at Chakrawat Primary School and continued his secondary education at Wat Bophitphimuk Secondary School and Suankularb Wittayalai School, respectively. He applied for scholarships to study abroad but missed out, so he changed his goal to study medicine.
Auy studied at the pre-medical school at Chulalongkorn University in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and then continued his studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Siriraj Hospital, Chulalongkorn University. During his practical training at Siriraj Hospital, he studied in the Department of Physiology. Auy was an excellent student, receiving a scholarship from Phraya Uthen Thepkosin for achieving the top rank in the entrance examination. Upon graduation (Medical Doctor), he received a gold medal for academic excellence throughout the course and a bronze medal for excellence in physiology, pathology, internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Uay entered government service as a lecturer and worked while continuing his studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Siriraj Hospital, earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1935. The following year, Uay received an Alexander von Humboldt scholarship to further his studies in physiology, pharmacology, and chemistry at the University of Hamburg, Germany. After completing his studies, Uay returned to work as a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, holding various important positions such as Head of the Department of Physiology, Vice Rector of the Medical University (now Mahidol University), Head of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Medical University, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University (now Chulalongkorn University), and Acting Director of the Sports Science Center of the Sports Promotion Organization of Thailand. In addition, Uay is considered the father of applied Thai traditional medicine and a pioneer in establishing the Ayurvedic College, emphasizing Eastern healing methods based on the teachings of Jivaka Komarabhacca.
He was appointed a member of the National Legislative Assembly in 1973.
Uay was married to a female physician. Mom Rajawongse Songsri Kasemsri, daughter of Mom Chao Patipath Kasemsri, was born on August 8, 1943. She has one daughter, Dr. Sivaporn Ketusingh.
