Hellfire Pass Memorial
ช่องเขาขาด
A railway cutting through rock that prisoners of war carved out with hammers and steel drills. The memorial and trail built by the Australian government faithfully recreate the suffering of the Death Railway.
Hellfire Pass (Thai: Chong Khao Khat) is the most grueling cutting through the mountains on the Thailand–Burma Railway. During the 'Speedo' push to meet deadlines in 1943, prisoners of war and laborers carved through it day and night, using almost nothing but hand tools. By torchlight at night, the shadowy figures looked like scenes from hell, which is how the pass got its name. After the railway closed, the tracks were removed. The site is now managed by the Australian government, which has built a modern memorial. Its exhibition hall uses photographs, artifacts and survivors' testimonies to tell the railway's history, and free audio guides are available in Chinese and English. Behind the museum, a trail leads down into the cutting. The nearest section is about 500 meters, a 1-hour round trip, and the full route to Hin Tok is about 4 km. A dawn memorial service is held every year on ANZAC Day, April 25. Admission is free, though donations are welcome. Getting there: the site is about 80 km from Kanchanaburi city. Drive north along Route 323 for about 1.5 hours. Public transport is limited, so it is best to hire a car or join a tour, and it is often combined with Sai Yok Waterfall and the Tham Krasae Viaduct as a day trip. Notes: the trail has steep steps, so wear sneakers and bring water. Please keep silent and show respect.
Opening hours
09:00-16:00 (memorial hall)
Nearby sights
- Lawa Cave
- Sai Yok National Park (Sai Yok Yai Waterfall)
- Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
- Death Railway Train to Nam Tok
- Erawan Falls
- Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall
- Death Railway & Tham Krasae Viaduct
- Mallika City R.E. 124