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Abstract
Thai Practice of Traditional Throat Painting in Sick Children
Mala Soisamrong*, Kusuma Sriyakuk**, Jirachaya Pramol*, Bussaraporn Thanasilungkoon*, Kantamara
Sittikripong*, Jiraporn Boonmak*
* Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine, Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine,
Ministry of Public Health
** Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathumthani
The present study was a descriptive one on the use of traditional throat paint by three traditional healers
in Bangkok for the treatment and relief of diseases and symptoms commonly found in children. The objectives
of the study were to obtain information on the healers’ knowledge and beliefes, the procedure for the applica-
tion of the paint, traditional recipes for the paints used, as well as factors affecting their existence as the
healers specialized in the administration of throat paint for children. The study was conducted by interview-
ing and observing the practice of three healers in the Bangkok area, and interviewing the children’s guardians
and experienced traditional medical practitioners. It was found that all three traditional healers gained their
knowledge of traditional medicine from their ancestors and had more than 20 years of experience in treating
children with traditional throat paint. The healers believe that diseases in children, the so-called “sang,” are
caused by germs. Young patients with “sang” are treated with traditional throat paint and some traditional
medicines prescribed for use at home. The healers use their index finger or little finger to apply the paint on
the base of the patient’s tongue once a day. A liquid vehicle is usually used for preparing the paint. The recipes
of two healers were inherited only within their family while the third healer used a well-known traditional
household remedy. The cost for the treatment ranged from 10 to 29 baht per visit. An additional 5 baht was
charged by one healer if a holy thread is tied to a child’s wrist to boost his or her spirit. The guardians who
took the children to the healers previously had received throat paint application and were satisfied with the
treatment. In addition, two of healers had more than 100 patients per day, while the other had only about 2-
10 patients. Factors affecting the existence of the healers are the faith that the patients continuously have in
the healers, inexpensive service charges, as well as their long-lasting fame. The healers not only treat diseases
in children but also diseases in other age groups. The application of traditional throat paint is a method of
administration of traditional medicine in children that may be regarded as another that is characteristic of
Thailand. The study of and greater understanding related to the use of traditional throat paint, its revival,
and promotion for use in primary health care are expected to help relieve common health problems in the
country into the future.
Key words: traditional throat paint, traditional healers, pediatric care