The Death Railway Bridge, a famous site in the Kanchanaburi town of western Thailand, was built over the Kwai Yai river during the years 1940 to 1944 by the then empire of Japan. Also known by various other names like the siam-Burma railway bridge or Thai-Burma railway bridge, it is a 258 miles long bridge that was a source of connection between Bang Pong district of Thailand and Thanbyuzayat town of Burma. The prime motive for its construction was to supply weapons, troops, and other war essentials during the Second World War for the Burma campaign. Today, while the Thai side of the bridge still exists and continues serving for trains from Bangkok to Nam Tok, the Burmese side of the bridge is not in service for decades due to its disrepair condition.
The reason behind the name “The Death Railway Bridge” lies in its history. As per claims, about 250,000, if not more war prisoners were used forcefully as laborers to construct this bridge. Among them, about 16,000 died either during the war, construction, or torture. The construction process, which would have taken about five years, was forcefully completed in 16 months. Brutal behavior was imposed upon the workers that made them suffer from rampant diseases and, finally, death. Before getting bombed in 1945, Allied forces used the bridge to serve its purpose for not more than one year.
The Death Railway Bridge today is a famous tourist attraction of Kanchanaburi and welcomes thousands of tourists every year, mainly the ones who are interested in learning about history. The tour on the railway bridge would take you through various other sites, including museums, war memorials, and cemeteries.
Don Muang Airport (DMK) is the nearest airport to the bridge sharing a distance of 151 kilometers approximately
A train journey from Don Muang railway station towards the bridge would take 4 hours 48 minutes and would cost about 114 Thai Baht to 2825.36 Thai Baht approximately for covering a distance of 151 kilometers
Trains are operated twice daily from Kanchanaburi city towards the Death railway bridge covering a distance of 3 kilometers. This train ride will take 6 minutes and cost 41.55 Thai Baht approximately followed by 220 meters walk towards the bridge
A taxi ride from Kanchanaburi city towards the Death railway bridge will take 8 minutes and cost 145.42 Thai Baht approximately for covering a distance of 7.6 kilometers
One can also take a train from Thon Burit towards the bridge. The journey will take about 3 hours and 30 Thai Baht to 1038.74 Thai Baht for covering a distance of 126.3 kilometers
Death Railway Bridge
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
JEATH war museum
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
War museum at the Bridge
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Waiting Time
No
Entrance Fee
Jeath war museum: 30 Baht
War musuem: 30 Baht
Time you can spend
3 to 4 hours
Weather
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