Medical education in Thailand was pioneered by King Chulalongkorn, who founded the country's first Medical school called the "School of Medical Practitioners" at Siriraj Hospital in 1889, now became the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. There are now 22 Institutions that offers medical programs nationwide, most of them public. Graduates will receive a MD degree (Doctor of Medicine), however the degree is equivalent to master's degree in Thailand. Most of these schools also provide postgraduate and specialist programs. The Medical Council of Thailand is responsible for verifying all curricula.