British Dispensary

It was established as the British Dispensary in 1892 by Western doctors Peter Gowan and Thomas Heyward Hays, and was later acquired by Luan Vongvanij in 1928.

The business was one among several modern pharmacies that emerged in the country toward the end of the nineteenth century, and was a well known establishment on the corner of Charoen Krung Road and Surawong, in what was Bangkok's European district.

Hays operated the business until 1906, when he transferred his interests to J. J. McBeth, who had joined the firm in 1898.

In 1928, McBeth retired to his home country, and sold the business to Luan Vongvanij, a Chinese immigrant who had previously been an apprentice at the store.

It also produces other personal care products under the Snake Brand, as well as St Luke's baby powder and Quina skin tonic.