Death Railway: A day trip from Bangkok
Getting there
While I couldn’t find a lot of information online on how to visit the Death Railway without a tour, it was actually pretty easy. Here’s what you need to know if you want to experience it on your own:
- You will have to take the morning train from Thonburi Station in Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
- Tickets cost 100 THB each way and you will have to buy them with cash from the counter at the train station.
- There are no seats assigned, so you can stay wherever you want on the train (I would suggest trying to get a window seat since there is no AC).
- Some train carts look better than others, so look around a bit before choosing a seat.
- The local train, no. 257 departs at 7:45 am from Bangkok.
Bridge on The River Kwai
The first major stop is in Kanchanaburi is the famous bridge on the River Kwai. Here, you can get off the train, walk along the bridge, take photos, and even watch the slow-moving train cross this historical structure.
Death Railway Museum and Research Centre
Another important stop in Kanchanaburi is the Death Railway Museum. The museum dives into the railway’s history, with exhibits on the harsh conditions faced by POWs and forced laborers. Here you will see interactive displays, photographs, and personal accounts that bring the past to life.
One of the most interesting parts of the museum is that if you had relatives who worked in these camps, the museum can look them up in their database and print their record for you.
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Just across from the museum, you will find the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
This well-maintained resting place honors the thousands of Allied prisoners of war who perished during the railway’s construction. It’s a solemn yet beautiful spot for reflection on the cost of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
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