Mass grave unearthed at Bangkok train station site
Construction workers got more than they bargained for while digging near Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital—a chilling discovery of dozens of human skeletons beneath the ground, believed to be victims of a mass execution over two centuries ago.
The remains were found during a survey at the future site of the MRT Orange Line’s Siriraj Station, which will link Bang Khun Non to the Thailand Cultural Centre. The grim find occurred beneath Arun Amarin Bridge, directly across from Wat Amarin.
According to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), over 70 skeletons have been unearthed so far, sparking major interest among archaeologists, historians, and the public.
“The remains were found in unusual positions, with several skeletons bound at the hands and feet,” an MRTA spokesperson confirmed. “This suggests they may have been executed en masse.”
Experts from the Fine Arts Department, now overseeing the investigation, believe the remains may date back to the Thonburi period (1767–1782), a turbulent era following the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was a time marked by military upheaval, internal power struggles, and brutal purges.
“This could be one of the most significant archaeological finds in recent Bangkok history,” a Fine Arts Department official said. “If confirmed, it may offer a rare glimpse into the darker side of the Thonburi era.”
The positioning of the bodies—many face-down with limbs tied—has led researchers to believe these individuals were likely prisoners or political enemies executed without ceremony. Whether they were soldiers, civilians, or slaves remains unclear.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact age of the bones and whether the site functioned as a formal execution ground. The Fine Arts Department said a detailed forensic analysis will reveal whether the remains predate the official founding of Bangkok in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I.
As construction of the MRT Orange Line continues, the area around the site has been cordoned off for archaeological study. Officials have assured the public that work on the station will proceed with care and in coordination with cultural preservation authorities, reported Bangkok Post.
The discovery has sparked a wave of public fascination, with many calling for the remains to be respectfully preserved and displayed as part of Bangkok’s hidden history.
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