Have you ever heard of the Death Railway? Also known as the Burmese Railway, this line was built by prisoners of World War II and still travels through parts of Thailand. This is a fascinating part of Thai culture and world history, and even influences film and literature. Here are 7 highlights on the track you can't miss.
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I wiped my sweat from my eyes as we stared at what was in front of us. Even though we've been on for two days, I'm still trying very hard to gather my ideas.
Even though we just took off from the air conditioning in the van, my clothes were stuck to me and my kettle needed to be replenished.
Thailand enjoys a reputation in April.
We are looking at a fairly simple steel bridge, about 130m long, running along it along monorail train tracks. Below is a fast river, but otherwise less obvious.
Despite its infamousness, the bridge has no name. Instead, it was the river below that won the championship.
Thais call it Kwae Yai. We know this is the kwai river.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxmr3itqn5m
Bridges on the Kwai River and Myanmar Railway
From Ban Pong, near 415 kilometers northwest of Bangkok, to Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar, aptly named the Death Railway, was the main project of the Japanese Imperial Army (JIA) in the late World War II.
Plans to establish supply routes between Thailand and the west coast of Myanmar (now Myanmar), Jia (Jia) built train lines on the mountains and in the jungle and train lines on the rivers.
They used Allied prisoners of war arrested in Singapore and Indonesia, and used civilians from different parts of Asia as enslaved labor.
Between May 1942 and August 1943, 60,000 prisoners of war and more than 200,000 civilians from all over Asia worked online. More than 13,000 soldiers and 80,000 Asian workers were killed here. During these 15 barbaric months, an average of 20 men died every day.
Most of the Death Railroad has gone, but the 120km track is still in operation and history is still heavy.
Here are 7 points along the Myanmar Railway, worth a visit to learn about this incredible time that has had a profound impact in Thailand and the world as a whole.
1. Bangkok Tombo Railway Station – Where the Myanmar Railway begins
Historically, the Tombo Station was the beginning of the Myanmar Railway, which runs from Bangkok to Myanmar about 415 kilometers north of Myanmar. The station was bombed by allies during World War II and was rebuilt in the 1950s.
You can catch the train from this station, which is still considered a 0km mark of the Bangkok train system, which will take you to Kanchanaburi and the Death Train.
2.Ban Peng – The historic Myanmar Railway begins
About 70 kilometers west of Bangkok Tombo Station, Ban Pong is the first stop on the Namtok line, the track on the original supply line of the Myanmar Railway.
Although we didn't take the train trip here, we did stop for lunch. Highly recommended is Rain Tree Coffee House The station on the banks of the Mae Klong River is 10 minutes away.
I really didn't expect (or that's how it is) to be a local specialty “coffee orange”. Half fresh orange juice and half cold coffee, this drink sounds awful, but on a hot day it's surprisingly delicious and even better.
It's certain to put this idea in your pocket during the hot summers of Sydney.
3. Bridge
The Mae Klong River winds through the southern part of Kanchanaburi, joining the famous Kwai River and its bridges before entering the sea.
The first time you see this bridge, you will feel solemn thrill. The curved arches on both banks are originals from World War II, but the section of the middle square is a replacement for the Allies to blow it up in 1945.
You can walk along the train tracks across the bridge, which is a strange feeling. Especially when the train is still running here.
It is hard to imagine that all the hotels, restaurants, shops and market stalls arranged on the river were once places of torture, struggle and death.
4. Canlanabry War Cemetery and Museum
Some roads downstream from the bridge are Thailand's largest Allied War cemetery, Don Rak.
Here, there are 6,858 war graves mark the last resting place lost by Australian, New Zealand, British and Dutch soldiers in the construction of the Myanmar-Siyam Railway.
The cemetery is well maintained. The tombstone is clean and tidy, and the grass and beautiful shrubs are good.
It's on the way Thailand – Boma Railway Centeran excellent museum that shows how conditions look, the purpose of the railway and more details.
5. HellfirePass or Konyu Cut-Anzac Memorial and Museum
For us, the most important location of the Myanmar Railway is the Hellfire Pass. This place brings horror and insurmountable missions to the spotlight. The Hellfire Pass (or Konyu Cutting) is the deepest and longest excavation section along the railway coast.
People cut and tore their own paths without sleep, food, and water, and the threat of pain and death always hangs above them. The cutting depth is 25 meters, 75 meters long, and is wide enough to adapt to the train.
At the end of the cutting, the ANZAC Memorial Hall holds dawn service every year on April 25. We were lucky enough to be here to attend Dawn Service. Outside Europe, it is one of the few memorials that hold such rituals in places with active conflict.
It is a thought-provoking place, and it has a huge change that the soldiers suffering here must endure.
When you cut in Konyu, make sure you visit too Hellfire Pass Interpretation Center and Memorial Sidewalk.
The museum has some fascinating (and troubling) exhibitions, starting with the sound of steel hammers on stone and a narrow corridor representing cutting. On the wall is the name of the person who works on the railway.
They cover two walls, floor to ceiling.
6. Hink River Camp
There are plenty of accommodation around the area, including the town of Kenchener itself. We're close to Hellfire Pass Hintok River Camp.
Once a labor camp for British prisoners of war working in a nearby compressor cutting job, it is now a luxurious resort.
Its history has a lot of nods, including the Copy Guard Tower at the entrance, but thankfully, it's not like what the site's former residents had to endure.
The “tent” is very comfortable – with full bathroom, Kings bed and even air conditioning. Breakfast and dinner are served at the campsite, there is a swimming pool on the river, decks on the deck, and you can even have a massage at the on-site spa!
Compared with the conditions in the 1940s, it is indeed far away.
7. NamTok Station – The end of the line
This is our last stop on the Myanmar-Siyam Railway. from hereyou can board one of the old mulberry trees and golden carriages on the heritage train.
Riding this line is a strange, contradictory feeling.
On the one hand, you are shocked by the cruelty that takes place here. On the other hand, you can’t help but impress the achievements these people can achieve in this situation.
However, it is even more paradoxical that the view from the train windows is sometimes so beautiful that it’s easy to forget the real reason you ride this ride. The curve of the track shows the timber trestle of the train and the timber lateral edge of the cliff.
Sometimes, this riverside train is admired and runs fast in fields and small villages.
It's an iconic train that brings deep reflection.
