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Weapons Of Execution Go On Display

23 Oct, 2022

A new Bangkok Correction Museum is set to open next month, said Thawatchai Chaiwat, deputy director-general of the Corrections Department.

The department closed down an older museum at Romaneenart Park in Phra Nakhon district eight years ago before relocating it to the present site in the department's compound in Nonthaburi, he said.

The main exhibition includes displays on equipment and devices once used to punish crime, including executions, with a highlight being a sword used by Rhian Permkumlungmuang, the last sword executioner in Thailand.

Rhian decapitated 53 people sentenced to death until Thailand changed its execution method to shooting in 1934.

 

Rhian continued his duty as executioner and executed 47 more people sentenced to death using a Bergmann-mounted machine gun.

As a department representative, Mr Thawatchai presented the sword, the sword box, and the machine gun to the museum for its exhibition on Sept 29.

He said the main purpose of the exhibition is to present the department's main philosophy on life sentencing as a tool for crime prevention.

"The department will preserve real execution tools as they are valued pieces of the department's history.

"These tools are safely displayed mainly for educational purposes for visitors and those interested in this part of history," said Mr Thawatchai.

Thailand changed its execution method from shooting to lethal injection in 2003.

 

 

Bangkok Post

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