Gun shots through the tongue, ruptured livers, busted up skulls — is this a night at the hospital, a museum or both?
In this case, both wouldn’t be too far off. Ostensibly used as a fundraiser for the hospital, the museum features some of the more unusual oddities to enter the world of the living. Sometimes called the Museum of Death, what’s called the Siriraj Medical Museum is actually the amalgamation of six permanent exhibitions. The exhibitions are organized into several rooms across a single floor, along with a temporary exhibition that’s all put together once you get there.
Once you get there is the key. Siriraj Hospital may have been Thailand’s first Western hospital, but it’s almost like the layout hasn’t changed in the century-plus it’s been around. You’ll have to meander through the hospital in order to arrive at the museum. Since there’s only one museum tourists are likely to see on the hospital’s campus, just keep following the signs.
This one is a bit gruesome, and as such makes the NSFW tag necessary. You may want to click back to the homepage if you’re under drinking age, as well.
While photos aren’t officially allowed inside, you may discover there are few people to stop you once you’re inside. You’ll also discover these are real, preserved remains — nature has seen fit to give the world these especially weird features…. Some signs are in Thai only, but most have some English as well.
A little creepy…? After they’ve passed from the land of the living, the more unusual cases get dissected for their eventual museum exhibition.
A look at slices from different hearts — more than a few of the exhibitions serve as warning to turn around your unhealthy behavior. An alcoholic’s liver, for example, or what happens to your heart when you have high cholesterol — while they’re not always explained, it becomes a game to figure out what body part it is and what they might have died from.
No idea what happens to this poor guy. These would be two of the MOST AWESOME BOOKENDS EVER, though…
Due to a technical issue with my memory card, I lost my photos of the most famous resident, Si Ouey Sae Urng. Convicted and executed for cannibalizing and eating children during the 1950’s, his withered mummified remains serves as a deterrent to others. The story’s scarier than what you see — especially when there’s a lot of other seriously odd things around.
I wasn’t sure if the exhibition about the tsumani from 2004 was considered a ‘permanent’ or ‘temporary’ exhibit. Whatever the case, the exhibition documented the hospital’s heroic efforts to save lives.
Yep, they saved that too. A man with elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis) had this removed from between his legs.
While not as creepy looking as some of the other exhibits, it’s a reminder that what you can’t see can be just as dangerous (like these bed bugs enlarged to ridiculous size)
The story doesn’t end there — Congdon’s Anatomical Museum is also around. Established in 1947, the old, creaky wooden floors don’t groan as much as, say, your grandparents house — it just looks and feels as old. The ticket taker will curtly pass on the ‘no photos’ rule, and multiple signs in English are around. Since we had had our fill of medical oddities, we didn’t stay long — do check out the photos over at Atlas Obscura if your stomach is still in order.
The typewritten labels pass on the basics, albeit in proper scientific terminology, and wooden cases with large glass windows house most displays. There might well be a trap door or secret passageway somewhere in the building — it has that sort of ‘Indiana Jones’ type feel to the place. Note that Congdon’s is in a different building, so ask around.
It’s weird, more well-known than expected, and gory as hell. It’s well worth the visit — if you can handle it.
Name: Siriraj Medical Museum
Address: 2nd floor Adulayadejvikrom Building, Siriraj Hospital, 2 Prannok Road, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand (GPS: 13.758956,100.485031)
Directions: You’ll find it easiest to take a taxi from National Stadium BTS. If you’re gung-ho about public transportation, exit National Stadium heading east down Rama I. Jump on bus 15 or 47 and ride for about 20–25 minutes. Get off a couple stops after the Democracy Monument, then transfer to bus 157ร. This bus crosses the river, then turns left — get off in front of the hospital. From the bus stop, walk into the hospital, turn left at the T and walk 150 meters. Look for the third right (traffic will go one-way in the same direction you’re going), then walk 25 meters and look right. If you get turned around, look for the signs or use the GPS coordinates to guide you.
Hours: 9am-4pm, Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday)
Admission: 40 baht
Phone: 02–419–6363 or 02–419–7000
Website: http://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/museums
