No one would disagree that there is something absolutely fascinating about the world of medicine. The human body is of such an exquisite and intricate design that the more you delve into it, the more it captivates you. The many parts that cooperate to perform everyday functions that everyone takes for granted are amazing and certainly worth exhibiting. The Siriraj Medical Museum takes you through the awesome journey of the structure, make, and miracles of the body. And the best part is that exhibits found here are completely real, giving the museum a little bit of a spooky touch.
For a medical student, cadavers are merely objects to learn something from; the layperson however, does not really feel that way. The Siriraj Medical Museum is adorned with cadavers pretty much everywhere you turn. For medical students, the museum is knowledge preserved. The museum is located in the oldest hospital in Bangkok which is a teaching hospital that trains doctors in the craft of medicine. The Medical Museum within this complex is not only open to the students training at this hospital but it is open to the public as well. Skeletons, human deformations, the cross section of a skull, preserved bodies and more; you get it all in this well-stocked museum.
The museum comprises six exhibits that are permanent and one that is temporary. In 2008, the temporary exhibits focused on the Tsunami and included a video on how it all took place. The permanent exhibits deal with other sectors of the medical science such as anatomy, pathology, forensics, congenital disorders, toxicology and traditional medicine. Among the many exhibits are the deformation of babies that are preserved in liquid, and you will encounter tiny preserved fetuses and embryos that walk you through the different stages of pregnancy. The preserved body of Si Quey, a serial killer who was caught in the 1950’s and a rapist by his side are certainly two of the more interesting – albeit startling – exhibits in the museum.
Bangkok has so much more to offer that it demands a good amount of time in the city. Stay at the Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok because this shining example of Sukhumvit accommodation ranks amongst some of the best of all the Bangkok serviced apartments in the city.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.
