Siriraj Medical Museum, also known as the Museum of Death, is located in Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok Noi District. It is of great value to medical students and professionals. Moreover, the museum consists of five small medical museums: Ellis Pathological Museum, Congdon Anatomical Museum, Songkran Niyomsan Forensic Medicine Museum, Parasitological Museum, and Sood Sangvichien Prehistoric Museum and Laboratory.
Ellis Pathological Museum
It was discovered by Professor Dr. Aller G. Ellis, MD, an American pathologist. The museum showcases the evolution of medicine and displays organs infected with various diseases like heart disease, cancer, and different types of congenital anomalies.
Congdon Anatomical Museum
This museum was founded in 1927 by Prof. Dr. Edgar Davidson Congdon. Interestingly, there are more than 2,000 organs available for anatomical education. It displays all the systems in the human body, right from conception to reproductive age.
Songkran Niyomsan Forensic Medicine Museum
The exhibits here include skulls and various body parts from murder victims. These serve as real-life evidence that Dr. Songkran Niyomsan collected during the course of his career.
Parasitology Museum
In this section, Dr. Vichitr Chaiyaporn collected parasites from his patients. As a result, various parasites like whipworms and roundworms are exhibited here, along with details of their life cycles and natural habitats.
Sood Sangvichien Prehistoric Museum and Laboratory
Dr. Sood Sangvichien joined an excavation mission at the archaeological site of Chorakhe Phueak in Kanchanaburi Province. There, he discovered certain prehistoric objects along with a human skeleton. These items are now displayed in the museum, which is named in honour of one of Siriraj’s greatest professors.
Entry Fee for Siriraj Medical Museum
The entrance fee for Siriraj Medical Museum is 200 Baht for foreigners and 40 Baht for Thai citizens. Students with valid ID may get discounts. The fee covers entry to all museum sections, including pathology, anatomy, and forensic exhibits.
Opening hours
Siriraj Medical Museum is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It remains closed on Sundays and public holidays. Make sure to visit early as the last entry is usually around 4:00 PM. This museum is a perfect spot for those interested in medical science and history.
Direction
The easiest and fastest way to reach the museum would be to take a taxi, train or a bus. You can exit from the same gate from which you entered. Siriraj Medical Museum is located inside Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok Noi, near Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. You can take a boat to Wang Lang Pier and walk a few minutes. It’s also reachable by taxi or MRT (get off at Sanam Chai and take a ferry across).
Museums nearby Siriraj Medical
Museum regulations
- Before entering the museum, show the ticket to the staff present at the entrance of the museum.
- Also, shoes must be removed before entering the museum.
- Pets are not allowed inside the museum.
- Moreover, food and beverages are not allowed inside the premises.
- All bags must be kept in the locker area.
- In addition, selfies, flash, and video recording are not allowed inside the museum.
- There is also an additional fee for taking pictures inside the museum.
- Smoking is strictly not allowed inside the museum.
- Lastly, you should dress modestly. Sleeveless shorts and shirts are usually prohibited. Women should make sure that their skirts extend below their knee.
Is Siriraj Medical Museum worth visiting?
Yes, it is a must visit for those who are interested in the anatomy, history and the human body.. The museum has an extensive collection of 2000 organs including the world-renowned dissection of the whole-body nervous and arterial system. More than that the museum educates the visitors about human anatomy encompassing various body systems, from conception to reproduction. It also has a rich history as the museum is placed within Siriraj Hospital, the oldest and largest public hospital in Thailand.
History
Siriraj Medical Museum is also known by two other names — Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum and Ellis Pathological Museum. It is a part of Siriraj Hospital, which is the first public hospital in Siam. Interestingly, it was established in the year 1888 by King Chulalongkorn and named after his deceased son, Prince Siriraj Kakudhabhand. The main purpose of the museum is to educate people about the various diseases that are or were prevalent in Thailand.