Khuk Khi Kai, an interesting historical site in Thailand

Khuk Khi Kai is a historical site in Chanthaburi province, in the East of Thailand. It’s well-known as a former prison which was built by the French army in the past when the French occupied the area. (approx. more than 100 years old)

It acts as an evidence of the colonial era for Thai people to learn about the history of Chanthaburi.

Khuk means prison

Khi Kai means chicken poop

Khuk Khi Kai was also called Chicken Dung Cell or Chicken Poop Prison.

Khuk Khi Kai was used for imprisoning Thai resistance fighters who rebelled against the French occupation.

Khuk Khi Kai was said to be a very tortuous prison. It was made from red brick in a square-shaped tower with overcrowded prisoners and with chickens staying on the upper floor, their poop dropping down on the heads of the prisoners throughout the day.

That’s why this prison is called “Khuk Khi Kai”.

It is said that when those prisoners were released from prison, the smell of chicken poop stuck with them for a very long time.

By the way, this was not only the physical pain, but also the mental bitterness of being imprisoned by foreign invaders without dignity as well.