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  Corrections Museum

 

Thailand

A section of the Corrections Museum in Bangkok shows the various forms of torture that were used in the past. One form of torture was a large rattan takraw ball (fig.), referred to as the Elephant Ball, which on the inside had sharp nails sticking through.

 

A prisoner was put inside the ball, which was then kicked around by elephants, encouraged by the guards. Another form was the Iron Hook, which was placed under the chin and lifted until the feet of the prisoner were above the ground.

 

  Corrections Museum

 

  Corrections Museum

 

The Nail Pressing Tool was used to enforce a confession from an offender, whose nails were placed in between two pieces of hard wood, which were then either squeezed together or hammered upon by the interrogating officer.

 

The Torturing Box was used to lock a prisoner inside, with only two small holes for breathing. The box was then be placed outdoors, in the hot sun.

 

  Corrections Museum

 

  Corrections Museum

 

The Pillory, a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, was used to hold a prisoner and to allow him or her to be publicly ridiculed. These forms of torture were used from the Ayutthaya period on until 1908, when they were abolished by the Penal Code.

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