Chang and Eng Bunker (May 11; 1811 - January 17; 1874) were Thai-American conjoined twin brothers whose condition and birthplace became the basis for the term 'Siamese twins'.

The Bunker brothers were born on May 11; 1811; in the province of Samut Songkram; near Bangkok; in the Kingdom of Siam (today's Thailand). Their fisherman father was a Chinese Thai; while their mother was a Chinese Malaysian. Because of their Chinese heritage; they were known locally as the 'Chinese Twins'. The brothers were joined at the sternum by a small piece of cartilage; and though their livers were fused; they were independently complete.

In 1829; Robert Hunter; a Scottish merchant who lived in Bangkok; saw the twins swimming and realized their potential. He paid their parents to permit him to exhibit their sons as a curiosity on a world tour. When their contract with Hunter was over; Chang and Eng went into business for themselves. In 1839; while visiting Wilkesboro; North Carolina; the brothers were attracted to the area and purchased a 110-acre (0.45 km2) farm in nearby Traphill.

Determined to live as normal a life they could; Chang and Eng settled on their small plantation and bought slaves to do the work they could not do themselves. Using their adopted name 'Bunker'; they married local women on April 13; 1843. Chang wed Adelaide Yates; while Eng married her sister; Sarah Anne. Chang and Adelaide would become the parents of eleven children. Eng and Sarah had ten. The twins also became naturalized American citizens.

On January 17; 1874; Chang died while the brothers were asleep. Eng awoke to find his brother dead and cried; 'Then I am going'. A doctor was summoned to perform an emergency separation; but he was too late. Eng died approximately three hours later. Pictures From History Pictures From History