Hellfire Pass Memorial and Museum
207 Tha Sao, Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi, Central Thailand, 71150
Located near Kanchanaburi, the Hellfire Pass Memorial and Museum pays tribute to the thousands of prisoners of war who lost their lives building the Thailand-Burma Railway (or Death Railway), during World War II. You can watch a movie and first-hand testimonies from former prisoners of war, and walk along the railway itself.
The basics
Two walking trails are available at the museum: a short walk to the Memorial Obelisk in Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting) and a longer 3-mile (5-kilometer) round-trip walk to Hinkok Road, with interpretive panels along the way. The museum features on several tours of Kanchanaburi, including day trips from Bangkok, particularly those focused on World War II sites in the region. Other popular WW2 sights include the Bridge over the River Kwai and the JEATH War Museum.
Things to know before you go
It’s free to access the museum, but donations are accepted.
The museum’s free audio guide provides crucial historical context.
As a place of memorial, stay quiet and respectful.
If you’re planning to walk the trails, you should wear sturdy shoes and bring a lot of water. Free filtered water and lockers are available at the museum. There are also toilets at the end of the trail.
2-way radios are provided if you’re planning on taking the longer trail for safety purposes.
How to get there
The museum and memorial are located just above Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), around 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Kanchanaburi. If you’re driving, take Highway 323. There is parking onsite. The Sangkhlaburi and Thong Pha Phum buses also stop at the museum, as do many tours of the local area.
When to get there
The museum is open daily from morning until mid-afternoon, except on Songkran (April 13-15), the King’s birthday (December 5), Christmas (December 24-27) and New Years Day, although it’s still possible to access Hellfire Pass then. Plan to spend up to 4 hours here if you’re taking the longer trail to Hinkok Road. The Anzac Day Hellfire Pass memorial is held annually on April 25.
Where to find Kanchanaburi’s War Cemeteries
Kanchanaburi is home to two war cemeteries. Located in town, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (also known as the Don Rak War Cemetery) contains the graves of 6,982 Australian, British, and Dutch POWS who died building the Thailand-Burma Railway. South of town, on the banks of the Kwai Noi River, the smaller Chong Kai Allied War Cemetery contains 1,740 graves.
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