Wee Thian Hee or in Thai known as Thianhee Sarasin was also known by his noble title Phraya Sarasinsawamiphak, was born in Thailand to a Chinese father. He came from a line of wealthy rice traders and pharmacists who had immigrated from Hainan Province, China to reside in the largely mercantile Thonburi across the river from Bangkok. At a young age he was taken to the US by a missionary to pursue his studies. He is noted as being the first Thai to have studied in the US. He finished his studies in medicine at Columbia University in 1871. He returned to Thailand as the country's first ever medical doctor.