Thailand's Death Railway
Thailand’s Death Railway is a two-hour train journey over the River Kwai and into dramatic cliffs, tropical jungles, iron bridges and a picturesque Thai countryside. Despite its gloomy World War II past, the region is considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand. From 1942-1943 over 60,000 American,British,Dutch, and Australian prisoners of war and 100,000 civilians underwent slave labour here. They constructed the Thai-Burma Railway under some of the most inhumane conditions possible, inflicted by the Japanese. It is estimated that about 13,000 POW’s and 90,000 civilians died here as a result of the hardship, malnutrition, disease, and torture.
The Death Railway served as a 415-kilometre rail line used to transport weapons and supplies between Thailand and Burma. Today, this route goes from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi telling the story of what happened in the past. Visitors can view the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with the unmarked graves of all those who died here, walk across the cast-iron bridge on River Kwai, venture into the jungle and enjoy the raw beauty of this tropical paradise. Tour the JEATH War Museum to learn about the history of the war in this area or go on a hike along the limestone cliffs.
