Thailand’s historical Kanchanaburi bears witness to the ugly and shocking treatment of POWs during WWII and this is why…
Updating the Kanchanaburi post and splitting it into two parts for your easy reading.
In this Part 2 of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi, I share ‘the bad and the ugly’ of Kanchanaburi’s history during WWII. In Part 1 of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi, I share ‘the good’ of where Kanchanaburi is located in Thailand, how to get there from Bangkok, where to eat, and where to sleep.
What to see in Kanchanaburi?
Renowned for its untamed jungle but mostly, for the heinous part that it played in the inhumane treatment of Prisoners Of War (POW) during WWII, Kanchanaburi holds many dark and historical memories.
Most travellers visit Kanchanaburi to see the famous Bridge over River Kwai or the Death Railway, although there are several other historical sites.
Kanchanaburi War and Chungkai Cemeteries
Not only is Kanchanaburi a striking town where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge, but everyone should visit the Kanchanaburi War and the Chungkai Cemeteries so that this abhorrent and grisly chapter in history is never forgotten.
During WWII, the Japanese army force-built the infamous Thailand–Burma Railway along steep river cliffs and cut through virgin dense jungle, at the horrid treatment and sacrifice of thousands of POW lives.
While at the cemetery, take time to read the heartfelt Epitaphs from remaining family members, which are sure to bring a tear to the eye.
During the 2014 visit to the cemetery, a photoshoot was taking place with the model wearing outlandish and vibrant pyjamas. Not only was this bad taste but considering the location, tacky and a lack of respect.
The four people showed no consideration for this cemetery and its history. Instead, laughing loudly and carried on as if this site was similar to a pub and not such a sombre place. I was compelled to say something but refrained. I am not sure whether locals would appreciate foreigners behaving the same in a Thai cemetery.
Tip
For a more private experience, try to visit the Kanchanaburi War cemetery in-between the numerous tour groups and buses, or at least wait until everyone leaves if you can.
Bridge over River Kwai (Khwae Yai Bridge)
Disappointed but also amazed to finally see this bridge over the River Kwai after hearing so much over the years about the bridge.
The bridge’s history is so memorable that Hollywood also made it even more famous and everlasting with the 1957 movie: The Bridge over River Kwai; albeit, the movie is based on the fictitious novel by Pierre Boulle. The novel deals with the plight of World War II British prisoners of war forced by the Imperial Japanese Army to build a bridge for the “Death Railway”. In truth, the captors used the POWs as slaves committing heinous crimes during this bridge and another’s construction, but also the rest of the 400-plus-kilometre railway through hostile jungled terrain.
Today, many cheap stalls encroach on the bridge’s surrounding area. If you so desire, you can also indulge in a child-like train ride over the bridge and back – for a cost of course. Be prepared for thousands of local and foreign tourists that frequent this historically important area, which has become over-commercialised; and for me, almost a theme park.
It is very hard to even contemplate a photo of the bridge without being confronted by a sea of heads and hats in your shot – not too dissimilar to a swarm of bees. And of course, people are not respectful of you taking a photo. Why should they be as they are making their own memories through their own photos…

Floating restaurants and accommodation abound the riverfront. The ambience is not what I expected but still had to visit just to see this infamous structure.
The Death Railway and Hellfire Pass
Incredibly, this 415-kilometre long railway over the most inhospitable territory as a transport route was mostly built by POW slaves (Australian, British, Dutch, and Americans) from WWII. Around 60,000 allied POWs and later joined by approximately 200,000 conscripted Asian labourers also worked on the link. The historical transport route began in June 1942 and was completed fifteen months later.
By the time the line was finished, an estimated 16,000 POWs and 100,000 Asian labourers died while working on the railway. This cruel and senseless waste of life is unfathomable, but the resilience of the POWs astounded their captors.
The museum at Hellfire Pass was started by an Australian-Thai group of volunteers and former POWs. The museum is free to enter although a donation is appreciated. The visit is excellent, tastefully delivered, and a preamble to what lay’s ahead. Actually, you can say the same for the whole of this site as it is excellent and memorable.
Stroll along this incredibly moving and noiseless path, while listening to the haunting real-life stories recounted by the sombre voices of surviving POWs.
Hearing these emotional voices, you cannot help but be thrown back in time and forced to imagine what it must have been like in this bitter environment. Working for 18-plus hours each day under despicable conditions, negligible food, and sadistic treatment by Japanese and Korean guards, there was no hope for the POWs.
Without a doubt, this experience is both heart-wrenching and while ambling along the path, very eerie. Especially, the memorial walk along the stretch of line known as Hellfire Pass.
This notorious passage forces you to comprehend just how high, deep, and impenetrable the hardened mountain rock-face stands. But mostly, how gruelling the task for the POWs must have been with only dynamite and basic tools such as pick hammers to cut through the rock pass – evidence of the hammer marks still etched in the rock.
This is a special unique part of Thailand that can never be forgotten once visited and believe that everyone must stop here to learn more about and understand what occurred.
Attempt to go on the long walk of around a 6-kilometre (round trip) that takes you further out along the remains of the Death Railway, but make sure you take the free headphones provided by staff to listen to more POW stories.
This walk brings you up to the fence where you cannot cross further as this is a military zone.
Burma-Thailand Railway Centre
The entry fee has gone up (B120) from what the guidebook advertised in 2014. I no longer believe any prices in the outdated guide books, regardless of their published date.
I am not so sure that you can really “enjoy” a site like this but more acknowledge what occurred.

The history represented regarding the actual construction of the railway is objective, extremely informative, and confronting.
In comparison, the Hellfire Pass Museum is an emotionally different experience as this explains more about the human suffering endured. Both sites are excellent.
Where is Kanchanaburi?

Western Thailand’s high plains and thick jungle-clad mountains host the town of Kanchanaburi.
An easy two-and-a-half-hour journey from Bangkok makes this town a popular destination for locals.
Do read Part 1 of Kanchanaburi: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly before popping over to my Mae Sot post for the next stint of volunteering while travelling through Thailand.
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more images. More posts on Thailand.
Ive been to Kanchanaburi a couple of times, but never made it to Hellfire Pass, somewhere Id still like to visit. I went to the Death Railway museum and the Don Rak Cemetery across the road – very sombre place and the photos in the museum nearly made me cry! x
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Yes, an extremely sombre place but also a beautiful area of Thailand – bittersweet for the POWs. x
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Unfollowed. Refollowed. Ah! WP!
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Thank you! I’ll try again on your site. I’ve been popping over once a week as you mentioned you publish on your Tuesday. 😉
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“My Tuesday”. Very true. Since I publish around 12PM, GMT-6, “your” Wednesday has already begun.
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Yes, your Tuesday but my Wednesday. I don’t read posts until the weekend as working full-time on a laptop, the last thing I want to do is work on a laptop at night!
Is that time working for you?
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Fine with me. I can understand taking breaks from the computer. 😉
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If only though…
Trying to get to Sweden, the UK, and Italy for around 5 weeks over June/July – need to schedule 6 weeks of posts! Going to be hard – think I need to retired. 😉
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Haha. You’re way too young to retire, but I understand, Sweden, UK and Italy sound like a good plan. 👍🏻
Haven’t made plans for this summer yet. getting late.
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Ha, ha, you jest!
Fingers crossed it will happen as haven’t travelled since returning to Oz in Feb 2020!
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I know… The world has changed. But I guess some parts are still al right… 😉
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It has indeed. I’m sure there are, especially an island somewhere. 🤪
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You and I had mentioned an island before if I recall…
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Perhaps once or twice in passing!
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You still looking?
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Always looking, always dreaming…
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A good point. That I need to consider… I seem to have lost my dreaming somewhere along the way… 😉 (Bad influences I guess?)
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Never lose your dreams, Brian! 😉
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Working on it…
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😉
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Must have a been a striking visit. I don’t get your posts “no more”. I think WP is out to get us…
I’ll follow you again…
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Indeed it was…
I think you’re right as I don’t either even though I keep unfollowing/re-following your site – WP is becoming rather tedious.
Persuade the masses until they’re hooked so it’s too painful to opt-out.
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Well, considering that WP hosts about half or more the world’s websites, it’s still no too bad. I think it’s just a matter of keeping an eye open. Just noticed I didn’t receive your posts for more than a week. So just reconnect. Et voilà.
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Good point! I only post on a Sunday morning as struggling to keep up with one per week while working full-time.
Thanks for reconnecting and I’ll try and do this again on your site! Lucky we’re both persistent. 😉
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We are… Look forward to “Monday” mail. Though it might already have arrived. ‘have more than 100 mails in my inbox. Have to clean up
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I unfollowed and refollowed you so here’s hoping! 😉
I clean my InBox out every day because I’m sad like that!
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I think I got your post. I too try to clean my inbox – almost – everyday. I use it as my In-basket. Any mail that stays is either unread or unattended. It’s what I did when I was still working. My phone was my E-desk. 😉
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Wow, great news!
A good system and similar to what I do… 😉
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It is THE best system. Especially when I was outside a lot for client meetings. My phone was my desk. I could check my mail, forward what could be done by others. Solve some stuff on the spot or mail the client “On it” if it needed office work…
And I still do it. My goal: no more than 15 mails in the inbox…
(We should work together…)
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The only difference is that you use your phone and I still use my laptop. I really don’t like using my phone. It’s become an obsession for humanity…read King’s Cell?
Ha, ha, surely you don’t want to emerge from retirement… 😝
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I did use the laptop in the office. For longer stuff. But just sending short mails? Fine.
King? As in Stephen. Haven’t read it. I used to be a big King fan, but haven’t read much by him in recent years…
And no, I don’t think I want to un-retire… 😬
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Ha, ha, didn’t think you wanted to un-retire…by choice. 😉
Cell was written in the 1990s I believe so not too new. A movie was made much later but of course, the book is much better.
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As usual. I don’t know why film directors never quite cut it… They take a good story and botch it…
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Totally agree with you but about the majority of films. 😉
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With exceptions of course as always.
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Of course… 😉
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I don’t know if you saw the movie Railway Man? I had read the book long ago (by Eric Lomax) and found it very moving. I don’t think the movie could ever quite have captured the feeling, much as I enjoy Colin Firth.
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No, I haven’t seen the movie but will definitely keep an eye out for it – books are always better in my humble opinion.
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What a history lesson! Man can be so cruel to other men in times of war (peace also, but not so much). Thank you so much for the pictures and your feelings about what happened!
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Yes! Sadly nothing changes – it’s tragic.
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The film was released while my dad was stationed in Saigon, so we saw it there and although I was only 10, I was very affected by it. I’ve seen it countless times since. Later, when we were in Thailand Dad had a colleague whose husband had died on the Burma Road. And very much later, I myself had a colleague who had been in a Japanese POW camp in Indonesia. I think it would upset me to see those sites turned into tourist traps. I never went there myself so it was good to read your post and not have to see tourists. Why do we so easily forget? Thank you so much for this.
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Hi Carolyn
It’s a tragic and brutal part of Thailand’s history and one which shouldn’t be forgotten. But then again, nothing has really changed over the decades. 😦
The ones that survived were scarred for life. There are so many movies/documentaries about this particular story (and other camps) where POWs tried to meet with their captors much later in life but the request was declined. It was more for an understanding of how a human being could be so cruel towards another and for the POW’s closure. But, it was not to be, so that even later on in life, the captor was still mentally torturing the POW survivor.
Thank you for your story
Take care
Nilla
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