[4] Inspired to study medicine by a French doctor who helped her mother, upon graduation Pierra had applied for training at the Medical School at Siriraj Hospital, but was rejected as the school did not accept females at the time.
[4] At the age of sixteen, against her father's wishes, she left for Saigon, where she studied French for one year with the support of Catholic nuns.
She then left for France, where she obtained a medical education at the University of Paris, graduating in 1936 and then returning to practise in Thailand.
She founded the Pierra Maternity and Child Welfare Foundation, which under her leadership took over 4,000 abandoned children under its care.
[1] She later adopted the surname Vejjabul,[c] which was granted by Princess Mother Srinagarindra during the premiership of Plaek Pibulsonggram.