Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It is estimated that at least 100,000 people died while working on the railway, the ma-
jority being labourers from nearby Asian countries, though not one of these has an identi-
fiable grave. If you are looking for the resting place of a loved one, a small office to the
side has lists of names and their locations within the cemetery. As you stand at the
cemetery entrance, the front left area contains Australian graves, the rear left honours
Dutch soldiers and the entire right-hand side contains British victims.
As there is no gate, it is possible to visit here anytime.
Thailand-Burma Railway
Centre Museum
(
www.tbrconline.com
; 73 Th Jaokannun; adult/child 120/60B; 9am-5pm)
This informative museum uses
video footage, models and detailed displays to explain Kanchanaburi's role in WWII.
Nine galleries tell the history of the railway, how prisoners were treated and what
happened after the line was completed.
Upstairs is a display of wartime artefacts, including one POW's miniature chess set. A
poignant video from POW survivors ensures that the deaths remain a tragedy, not a statist-
ic. Half-/full-day tours (2400/4900B) can be arranged from here.
MUSEUM
Jeath War Museum
MUSEUM
(Th Wisuttharangsi; admission 30B; 8am-5pm)
This small museum contains cuttings, correspond-
ence and artwork from WWII. Located in bamboo-
ata,
similar to the shelters used for
POWs, it details the harsh punishments meted out by Japanese troops.
Jeath is an acronym of the countries involved in the railway: Japan, England, Australia/
USA, Thailand and Holland. The war museum is at the west end of Th Wisuttharangsi
(Visutrangsi). The museum is run by the monks of the adjacent Wat Chaichumphon (Wat
Tai). In July 2013 a local man dived in the river outside the temple to retrieve a tourist's
wallet - and found a sunken teak boat. The discovery of the vessel, thought to date from
WWII, was deemed auspicious and so there is now a shrine in its honour.
Heritage Walking Street
Set near the City Gate, this wonderful old street offers a glimpse of a bygone Kan-
chanaburi. More than 20 yellow signs reveal the history and architecture of this fascinat-
HISTORICAL STREET
