Thailand: Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Trail

We spent 3 nights in Sangkhalaburi and left the little peaceful lake village in the fourth day.

As in December 2013 (yea i know my blog has been delayed for more than one year), there are only one bus to and from Kanchanaburi.

Long ride (4 hours) to Kanchanaburi and we decided just chill and relax on that day, rent a bike and get around the river side, had great Thai BBQ buffet dinner by the river side and enjoy the chill wind were what we had done in the first night. 

The hightlight of the stay in Kanchanaburi was the second day, the day tour to Hellfire Pass, Kra Sae Cave and Death Railway. All of the destinations were far apart yet related to each other. 

In mid-1942, Japanese forces were fighting the British in Burma, their ultimate aim being an offensive against India. To maintain their armies in Burma, the Japanese needed a more secure supply route than the vulnerable sea-lanes between Singapore and Rangoon. They decided to construct a railway, 415km long, through jungle and mountain from Ban Pong in Thailand to Thanbyuzayat in Burma. 

And Hellfire Pass, Death Railway and Kra Sae Cave were part of the history.

You might think this is just an old railway built by Japanese anyway, what if this railway were built by 300,000 human life within one year.

Yes, 415km long railway, through jungle and mountain, in the 1940s, by 300,000 of life.

Imagine how limited the modern equipment that could been used during 1940s, most of them cutting through the mountain and jungle by hand, metal taps and sledgehammers only. 

I can never forget my feeling on that day, the quite afternoon that we walked through this 3km railway trail which built by 300,000 of prisoners of war from Asia, Australia and Europe. 

Audio set and map were given. There are 4 trails ranging 1 hour to 3 hours return. 

here we go, click for larger image. 

quite jungle path, i cant believe here used to be hell for so many PoW. 

railway

memorial 

PoW worked punishing hours well into the night, the flickering bonfire light on the emaciated workers gave the place its name - Hellfire Pass. 

Hunger for the history and walk a journey while you can. 

used to be a mountain

Mourn for the death.

Number of Australians found death here.  

the 3-hour trail is not difficult but not recommending to elderly  

Metal taps that PoW used to constructed the railway

all there holes  where cut by hand, rock and limited metal equipment. 

This is not natural, this is all crafted by human hands 

My heart was heavy as i touched the flatten wall. Rocky mountain being cut to half with bare hands...

and its freaking 415km... 

all being done within a year..

One of the look out point. I cant imagine how was the constructing life back then here in the deep jungle of Thailand.

walked down the hill to the exit

if you wonder what is the condition of the trail, expect rocky staircase. 

there, we see the exit..

But i haven't overcome this yet.

To be frank i'm not passionate in history, i'm passionate in story, especially real story.

We donated a small amount to the museum, hoping this could be well-kept and continue to tell this sad but true story to our next generation.

Owh well, if you want more detail on how to get there and stuff...

Where is the museum?
There are two related museums, one is Death Railway Museum and Hellfire Pass (we have been both but the former is no photography allowed so i skipped that post).
Death Railway Museum is in the center town of Kancanaburi. I am not sure the operation hour but it is with an admission fee of 120bath.
Hellfire Pass is one and half hour driving distant away from Kanchanaburi and its admission free, but you can support with the donation. It is in middle of no way. I had never asked around but i guess it is not accessible by no public transport.

How to go there?
My way is rent a taxi for 8 hours (Hellfire Pass + Cave + Death railway), it cost me 1,900 bath but i think worth its given the comfort of the journey and time saving.
Alternatively, you can rent a bike (well yea, probably 2 hours to reach there?) or rent a Swang-Teow or tuk-tuk (motor-taxi)

Do note that...
Taxi driver in Kanchanaburi are familiar with the day tour thing, but note that are two trains running on the Death railway (part of the Hellfire Pass, but this one is on the cliff), if you wanna snap photo of the train on the railway like this...

Taken inside the train before enter to the cliff railway part. 

better check the time table from your hotel.

More detail will be given in the next post, so stay tuned!





Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
201508009, 0915pm
Rach in ready for monday mood