Bangkok’s red roof: Thailand’s first mental health hospital

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Transcript

00:00In the past, those with mental illness were taken to a place known as the Red Roof.

00:06In fact, this was the informal name of the Somdet Chao Phraya Institute of Psychiatry,

00:12Thailand's first psychiatric hospital.

00:14Founded in 1889 by King Rama V, it was initially named the Insane Asylum.

00:20It was founded following the king's visit to a mental asylum in Singapore.

00:24The name Red Roof came from the red paint applied to the roof during construction to

00:29prevent loss as red paint was an affordable option.

00:33The hospital instituted then modern methods for addressing mental health issues in Thailand.

00:38This marked a significant step in the evolution of mental health treatment in the country.

00:43Over time, the hospital was renovated to remove its older atmosphere and make mental health

00:49care more approachable for Thai people.