Bridge on the River Kwai

“Slower than the speed of smell,” It was a long 13 hour day on 4 different busses crossing from the Cambodian border back into Thailand. We spent a day in Bangkok before making our way to Kanchanaburi, where the infamous Death Railway is laid.

In 1942, Japanese forces invaded Burma from Thailand and seized it from British control. In need of a reliable transportation method the Japanese decided to build a railway between the two countries. Construction began in June and was to be completed within 14 months. Approximately 60,000 prisoners of war were used to construct the railway including 30,000 British, 18,000 Dutch, 13,000 Australians, and 700 Americans. 200,000 romusha or Asian laborers were forced or recruited under false pretenses to help build the railway as well.

In April 1943 the conditions worsened as the deadline for completion was closing in. The Japanese implemented the “Speedo” campaign. Laborers were forced to work 15 to 18 hour shifts day and night. This resulted in the notorious naming of Hellfire Pass. At night bamboo torches illuminated the sickly shadows of the emaciated workers on to the stone walls of the Konyu Cutting. Many POWs and romusha died during this period from harsh labor, malnutrition, poor weather, and disease. Others died from Allied forces bombing the railway. Several camps were set up along the railway and since POW’s were not allowed to dig shelters or mark the huts with POW camp symbols many perished as a result. 12,800 POWs and 90,000 romusha died during the 15 months of railway construction. 258 miles of track was laid between Bangkok to Rangoon and portions are still used today for transportation.


Our visit through Kanchanburi also included a more pleasant visit to the Erawan National Park which is full of waterfalls, crystal blue pools, and foot sucking fish! After a hot walk through the jungle a dip in the cool ponds were refreshing. The fish “massage” was an extra bonus, though a bit more ticklish that relaxing. After our exploration we spent the night in a river bungalow with a waterfall view.