Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum

Unclaimed

Great museum displaying anything from medical and history of Thailand. Include the ancient boat found at the area. After visiting the museum, you can relax and enjoy beautiful Riverside park.

An excellent, well-designed museum despite a somewhat eclectic collection. Once you step inside from the beautiful pavilion outside, the museum’s guards will guide (some might say hustle) you through displays that start out displaying the story of what lies beneath the museum—ancient Bangkok before its rulers moved it across the river and, much later, the old Thonburi train station. That includes a restored section of the ancient city wall. Then the museum jumps to a history of the hospital nearby and its royal connections, its departments, and a whirlwind introduction to modern medicine, both Western and traditional Thai. The exhibits then jump back to the ancient, including a cargo boat found beneath the station. All in all, though, not to be missed and a welcome contrast to the macabre, somber and outdated medical museum next door.

It is an informative museum which tells about the history of Siriraj Hospital, the development of medicine and medical education in the historical context. It also gives information about the traditional Thai medicine which relies on philosophical ideas and exists together with modern medicine. It is an important point to note that traditional Thai medicine complements modern medicine in Thailand rather than being excluded. Thailand is now a country where you can have quality healthcare service in government hospitals with reasonable prices in contrast to some people who think that Thailand is underdeveloped in healtcare service. In fact, as a person I have been to Thai hospitals for operation and health problems often I can say that the healtcare is service here is better than that of many Western countries.

Very interesting museum that combines knowledge about medical history of Siriraj Hospital, on which premises it is currently located, old Railway station whose building it occupies, and the local district where it is located.