Widely regarded as one of the world's most haunted locations, Old Changi Hospital has seen a lot of death and cruelty within its walls.
Built in 1935 as the Royal Air Force Hospital, it was later used as a prisoner camp and torture chamber during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.
Built in 1935 as the Royal Air Force Hospital, it was later used as a prisoner camp and torture chamber during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.
War and Respite
Changi Hospital In 2006 the Singapore Land Authority put up the site of the (old) Changi Hospital, Changi District, Singapore, for lease, a lease that was quickly snapped up by a developer that proposed to build a luxury resort on the property. The plans fell through and the land was returned. A development as large as what was proposed would have been quite costly and although financial burdens was likely to be the cause for the development halting, many believe it might have more to do with the ghostly residents of the hospital.
Changi Hospital (usually referred to as Old Changi Hospital due to the fact there is a newer Changi General Hospital) was built in 1935 as the Royal Air Force Hospital. It stayed as such until the Japanese occupied Singapore between 1942 and 1945, the later years of World War 2.
It was during this occupation that many believe the ghosts took up residence within the hospital as it became a prison camp and base for the Japanese Secret Police. Anyone who was deemed to be anti Japanese were systematically removed from the population, taken to deserted parts of Singapore and killed.
Changi Hospital (usually referred to as Old Changi Hospital due to the fact there is a newer Changi General Hospital) was built in 1935 as the Royal Air Force Hospital. It stayed as such until the Japanese occupied Singapore between 1942 and 1945, the later years of World War 2.
It was during this occupation that many believe the ghosts took up residence within the hospital as it became a prison camp and base for the Japanese Secret Police. Anyone who was deemed to be anti Japanese were systematically removed from the population, taken to deserted parts of Singapore and killed.
Hospital in the 1950s However, it is believed a large many were taken to the hospital/prison camp to be horrifically tortured for further information. Many of these tortured soldiers and civilians will have succumbed to their treatment.
After the end of the war, after the Japanese surrender, the hospital reverted back to being a hospital. In 1965 Singapore claimed independence and ten years later the British withdrew the last of their troops and the hospital became the Singapore Armed Forces Hospital. It was not long before the public could start receiving treatment there and soon it was merged with the Changi Chalet Hospital and renamed Changi Hospital.
In 1997 the old hospital was closed and asides from a few prospects of being developed it has been abandoned ever since.
After the end of the war, after the Japanese surrender, the hospital reverted back to being a hospital. In 1965 Singapore claimed independence and ten years later the British withdrew the last of their troops and the hospital became the Singapore Armed Forces Hospital. It was not long before the public could start receiving treatment there and soon it was merged with the Changi Chalet Hospital and renamed Changi Hospital.
In 1997 the old hospital was closed and asides from a few prospects of being developed it has been abandoned ever since.
Death and Hauntings
The hospital having fallen to disrepair With such a large main structure and several other accompanying buildings (including a detached morgue, complete with body fridges, located up a short roadway that separates it from the main hospital) it has become quite an icon for urban explorers, young people looking for a scare and paranormal investigators.
Even during it's later years serving as a hospital it was speculated to being haunted (and what hospital isn't?) and with it's rather unique position as being used essentially as a torture chamber by the Japanese during the atrocity that was the occupation, it is little wonder that reputation has stuck.
Today it is considered one of the, if not THE most haunted locations in Singapore and it has the stories and experiences to back that claim up.
Even during it's later years serving as a hospital it was speculated to being haunted (and what hospital isn't?) and with it's rather unique position as being used essentially as a torture chamber by the Japanese during the atrocity that was the occupation, it is little wonder that reputation has stuck.
Today it is considered one of the, if not THE most haunted locations in Singapore and it has the stories and experiences to back that claim up.
It takes on a creepy feeling as night falls More generic stories concern people seeing shadow forms in the empty hallways and around the grounds during both day and night. In several wards, tortured, disembodied screams have been heard as if coming from several different persons.
But it is the more strange stories that make the hairs stand on end. Several times people have been led to parts of the hospital by what they thought were their friends only to find out they had just had a very personal and strange encounter.
But it is the more strange stories that make the hairs stand on end. Several times people have been led to parts of the hospital by what they thought were their friends only to find out they had just had a very personal and strange encounter.
A Common Occurance?
What lurks in the dark corners? At times groups of people will descend on the hospital for a bit of thrill seeking or to have an experience amongst the dead. At one point it will be noted that one of the group is missing and a search is quickly carried out – well if they are good friends at least and don't just abandon them to their fate.
More often then not the friend will be located in a lonely part of the hospital. They will be disorientated and tell an all too familiar tale.
They start off the night as part of the main group but soon one of their friends convinces them to wander off with them in hopes that a smaller group of just two people will allow them to experience more. Conversation seem normal, everything about it seems normal until their friend disappears on them, far from their other friends.
It is here that the terror kicks in, they are now alone, abandoned, in the dark, in one of Singapore's most haunted locations. It might only be minutes or it might be much longer before they are found by their friends either sitting in the middle of a hall or on their way off the property. There is still confusion as to why their friend had just left them and that is when they find out that they had never left the main group with another... that they had wondered off on their own into the dark.
More often then not the friend will be located in a lonely part of the hospital. They will be disorientated and tell an all too familiar tale.
They start off the night as part of the main group but soon one of their friends convinces them to wander off with them in hopes that a smaller group of just two people will allow them to experience more. Conversation seem normal, everything about it seems normal until their friend disappears on them, far from their other friends.
It is here that the terror kicks in, they are now alone, abandoned, in the dark, in one of Singapore's most haunted locations. It might only be minutes or it might be much longer before they are found by their friends either sitting in the middle of a hall or on their way off the property. There is still confusion as to why their friend had just left them and that is when they find out that they had never left the main group with another... that they had wondered off on their own into the dark.
Changi Hospital by night Who or what it was that leads people into the dark 'on their own' is a mystery but is thought to be related to the hospitals 'inahbitants'.
Even more strange are those who are escorted out of Changi by a 'friend' to be told they “don't belong at the hospital, that it is dangerous and not to return”, only to have that 'friend' disappear when they are back to safety.
Finally there are tales of those who have ventured into the abandoned hospital never to be seen again.
You can find many, many more stories about the strange happenings at Changi Hospital as well as many curious recountings of secret rooms, passages and bunkers... uncovered torture chambers and more.
If you have been to Changi Hospital I would love to hear of your experiences!
Even more strange are those who are escorted out of Changi by a 'friend' to be told they “don't belong at the hospital, that it is dangerous and not to return”, only to have that 'friend' disappear when they are back to safety.
Finally there are tales of those who have ventured into the abandoned hospital never to be seen again.
You can find many, many more stories about the strange happenings at Changi Hospital as well as many curious recountings of secret rooms, passages and bunkers... uncovered torture chambers and more.
If you have been to Changi Hospital I would love to hear of your experiences!
Ashley Hall 2013
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