Thailand

Located in Kanchanaburi near the Allied War Cemetery, the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre is an educational museum dedicated to the Burma-Siam railway line and the war crimes committed during its construction.

Dark thoughts stir within the visitor upon entering the Thailand-Burma Railway Center. Pursuing an educational mission, this private museum in Kanchanaburi strives to depict the historical context in which the railway was planned, built, and ultimately destroyed by aerial bombings. Emotions are guaranteed as visitors relive scenes of mistreatment, humiliation, slavery, and military confrontation, faithfully documented in the museum's collection. If you have an interest in World War II history, you will be enriched by this cultural interlude at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre. Distance is no excuse, as the museum is just 1 km from downtown Kanchanaburi.

History of the museum

The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre opened its doors in 2003, 60 years after the inception of the infamous railway. Achieving its high documentary quality and state-of-the-art multimedia technologies required patience, deep passion for the subject, and years of hard work. These qualities are embodied in Rod Beattie, an Australian historian and researcher. While the former railway had been overrun by vegetation, Rod Beattie took it upon himself to clear and section off a part of the track for inspection purposes.

The purpose of the Thailand-Burma Railway Center extends beyond recreation. In addition to being a museum, it serves as a research and documentation institute dedicated to the Burma-Siam railway line. Painful memories resurface at the mere mention of this railway, constructed in 1942 by the Imperial Japanese Army. The project aimed to connect Bang Pong in western Thailand to Thanbyuzayat in Mon State, southern Myanmar, over a 145-kilometer stretch. Faced with a shortage of labor, the Japanese resorted to forced labor, enlisting prisoners of war from Allied countries and Asian civilians to carry out the construction. Although the line was completed by October 1943, thousands of workers paid with their lives. Physical violence, diseases, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition were the main causes of worker mortality. After the war, the railway gained global notoriety as the "Death Railway."

The museum's documentary and photographic collection

The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre is a must-visit due to its comprehensive collection on the Death Railway, surpassing that of other museums in Kanchanaburi.

Cutting-edge interactive materials vividly portray the anguish, oppression, and suffering experienced by workers on the railway. Visitors are treated to an accurate chronological account: the arrival of the Japanese on Thai soil, the conception and construction of the railway line, its geographical route, life in the concentration camps, massive deaths in the camps, the line's operational service, and the repeated air raids that ultimately led to its destruction.

In addition to this chronological presentation, the museum features enriched photos and signboards with detailed commentary. You'll appreciate the documentary screened in the small cinema room and historical artifacts collected along the railway track, such as the trestle bridge. Don't miss the scale model offering a faithful representation of the camp hospital. The visit promises a cascade of emotions! The exhibition starts on the ground floor and continues on the first floor.

Upon exiting the exhibition, visitors can visit the cafeteria or souvenir shop. The latter offers a range of items: postcards depicting the Death Railway theme, brochures, and books detailing the hardships endured by prisoners of war, as well as DVDs containing individual testimonies of soldiers who managed to return home and reintegrate into society.

Practical information

Opening hours

The museum welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Different rates apply to adults and children under 14.

How to get there?

From Bangkok, head to Thonburi Station and catch the next train to Kanchanaburi. While not the fastest mode of transport, it is the least expensive and offers an excellent opportunity to travel along the Death Railway. Ask the driver to drop you off at the stop before the River Kwai Bridge. Upon arriving at Kanchanaburi Station, follow Saeng Chuto Road as if heading south from the city. The Thailand-Burma Railway Center is on the right side of the road, opposite the War Cemetery.

If you prefer to travel from the River Kwai Bridge, the walk may be lengthy. It's advisable to take a tuk-tuk or taxi instead.

Nearby attractions…

Apart from the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, Kanchanaburi boasts other rich museums and quality monuments related to the Japanese occupation during World War II:

• The Bridge over the River Kwai
• The Allied War Cemetery, located just opposite the railway center;
• The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
• The Jeth War Museum.