Chang and Eng Bunker, were conjoined twin brothers from the Kingdom of Siam (today known as Thailand).\u00a0 Because of their birthplace and condition, the term \u2018Siamese Twins\u2019 became synonymous with this condition.\u00a0 It is quite rare, estimated to occur in about 1:200,000 births, with today\u2019s surgical procedures able to separate most cases, including Chang and Eng\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Chang and Eng Bunker were born in the province of Samut Songkram in Central Thailand on May 11th 1811 to a hardworking peasant family of Chinese ancestry.\u00a0 They were joined at the center of the chest by a small piece of cartilage.\u00a0 Their livers were fused but also independently complete.\u00a0 Their mother taught the two boys to stretch the tissue that joined them so that they could stand side-by-side rather than face-to-face.<\/p>\n
The twins were \u2018discovered\u2019 in 1824 by an English trader named Robert Hunter.\u00a0 He was attracted by a \u2018strange silhouette that appeared to have two heads, four arms and four legs, all of which were moving in perfect harmony\u2019.\u00a0 To be honest, who could\u2019ve blamed him for being curious to this sight?<\/p>\n
Mark Hunter saw the commercial possibilities of exhibiting these twin boys to the world.\u00a0 He eventually persuaded Chang and Eng\u2019s parents as well as the Thai authorities to let him take them abroad.\u00a0 Eventually, all parties agreed and the brothers left Thailand on April 1st 1829.\u00a0 The two young men will never return to their birth country again, however, it was because of them that many Westerners know of the Kingdom of Siam.<\/p>\n
Over the coming years, the twins toured extensively, appearing before enthusiastic crowds and under various managements, including the popular American showman P.T. Barnum.\u00a0 During this time, the twins mastered the English language.\u00a0 Many who met them were impressed by their charm and intelligence as well as the coordination the two display when performing athletic tricks and stunts.<\/p>\n
Tired of the constant touring and yearning for a normal life, the twins settled on a plantation in the Southern United States.\u00a0 They became naturalized U.S. citizens, adopted the last name Bunker and began dating two sisters (Chang to Adelaide Yates and Eng to Sarah Anne Yates).\u00a0 They were scheduled to be married but locals did not approve, even threatening them.\u00a0 Fearing for their lives, the twins arranged for an emergency separation surgery, even if it meant death for both just to be with the girls.\u00a0 However, the sisters intervened just before the operation and married the twins in a quick double-wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n
The couples bought property one mile apart and alternated staying at different residences.\u00a0 They also fathered 22 children (Chang had 10 and Eng had 12) and by all accounts, both couples had happy marriages.<\/p>\n
The twins died on the same day on January 17th 1874.\u00a0 Chang contracted pneumonia and died suddenly while in his sleep.\u00a0 Refusing to be separated from his brother, Eng passed away about three hours after his brother.<\/p>\n
Chang and Eng Bunker were great ambassadors to their birth country at a time when not many knew of Siam.\u00a0 During their times at the plantation, the twins were known to possess integrity and fairness in their business dealings.\u00a0 Some say that there are over a thousand descendants of the twins still living in the United States today.\u00a0 A statue of the twins stands near their birthplace in Samut Songkram, Thailand.<\/p>\n
With Exotissimo, you can visit the birth province of Chang and Eng with our Discover Old Siam<\/a> tour.\u00a0 This tour takes you to the lesser-known sites removed from the tourist trails, where you will discover traditional Siamese architecture, atmospheric waterways and unspoiled natural scenery of Thailand.\u00a0 We will also take you to two seemingly untouched floating markets in Amphawa and Tha Kha, in the twin\u2019s home province of Samut Songkram.\u00a0 If you have time to spare in Bangkok, why not stop by Museum Siam<\/a> and gain a comprehensive insight into the history of Thailand?\u00a0 Designed with children in mind, there are many exhibits with interactive features and video presentations to engage visitors of all ages.\u00a0 You may also see our suggested Thailand tours<\/a> or Thailand day trips<\/a> pages for other memorable trips into this fascinating country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chang and Eng Bunker, were conjoined twin brothers from the Kingdom of Siam (today known as Thailand).\u00a0 Because of their birthplace and condition, the term \u2018Siamese Twins\u2019 became synonymous with this condition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"close","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[263,245],"tags":[385],"class_list":["post-1273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-arts-and-culture","category-thailand","tag-history"],"yoast_head":"\n