Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail

Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail

Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail
4.5
Historic Walking AreasHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A memorial dedicated to the Asian labourers and Allied prisoners of war who suffered and died constructing and maintaining the Burma-Thailand railway during WW II.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • Moulinouch
    605 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A place steeped in history
    We cannot remain indifferent to the history of this place. Men suffered there, and their presence is felt. We are blown away by the calm of this place, everyone respects what happened here. We are amazed when we arrive at deep ravines that we walk up and down by metal stairs. In their place were bridges built by human hands, a gigantic task for the passage of trains. Arriving at the end after a few kilometers (tourists rarely make it this far) a road is anachronistic. You just have to cross this road and in the jungle which has taken possession of the place, you can see the barely visible trace of the railway track. You have to move the bamboo branches aside and the passage is there.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled on business
    Written February 15, 2024
  • Lesley H
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    very moving tribute to the many thousands that perished here
    I thought this place was incredible. I went on a cool day (by Thai standards) the sun was not out and there was a slight breeze but Holy Moly, this place is HOT and HUMID as the name suggests. Im afraid I massively underestimated this. From the start at the interpretation building you can tell it is a beautiful memorial to the thousands of young men who perished here. The staff are very welcoming and helpful, everyone asked if I had enough water etc, the free Audio guide and the extra, safety radio which is necessary if you take the longer route, they will call every hour to check on you. The boardwalk to the beginning of the walk is steep, the walk to the memorial is quite flat and some stunning views. The audio guide points out a few things you may miss. I had neither the time of the correct footwear to continue past the memorial, which I would have liked to do. I had to be mindful of the bus times (in Thailand) so had to walk back sooner than I wanted. The place has a great reverence and many flags and photos of loved ones, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. However I would do a couple of things differently. 1. I would go on the train from Kanchanaburi, not the bus. 2. Get a taxi to the museum and then have them pick you up in (?) 2 hours at the Hintok road , this will negate you having to do the return walk, they can then take you back to the Museum to return your radios etc and then back to the train station for the return journey. 3 get a guide, I dont know if there are guides there but if I came again I would ask. 4 The train is marvellous, the scenery is stunning. No buffet cart so take what you need. I feel I didnt give this day the attention it deserved, I would like to do it again in a less rushed way. A very moving tribute to the men, that focuses on the job that was done and not necessarily the terrible practices that were employed to attain it. Highly recommended
    Dear Sir/Madam Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know your feedback and for sharing your overall experience. We appreciate your positive reviews and several suggestions that other visitors may find helpful. Indeed, we recommend wearing sturdy footwear as the walking trail has uneven ground including stairways. We also would advise visitors to allow at least 1 hour to conduct the short walk and at least 2-3 hours for the long walk. As you have mentioned, having a taxi waited at Hintok Road (End point of the long walk) is certainly an option and help saves a lot of time. We recommend making this arrangement with your driver or tour guide prior visiting as the pick-up point will involve driving another 3-4 Km on a local road with steep curves. Unfortunately, we don't provide a tour guide personnel as we offer audio tour devices. Visitors will need to seek a separate service from tour operators should they wish to have a tour guide with them. Please have our sincere appreciation again for your kind feedback. We will pass on your positive comments to our team members and hope to have an opportunity to welcome you again in the future. Yours Sincerely Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre Management
    Written July 24, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written July 21, 2024
  • Peter-Chua
    Singapore, Singapore1,525 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A historical place
    Allow about 4 hours if you'd like to explore the historical sites in greater depth. It's best to visit in the morning to avoid the heat. The last entry is at 3 PM, and long walks may not be possible afterward due to closing time. There is a small theater showcasing a 10-minute video, and you'll be provided with a listening device for a better understanding of the site. While entry is free, generous donations are encouraged to help maintain the place.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 22, 2024
  • runner24
    Orlando, Florida2,287 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive museum to honor all the POW"s and Asian's who worked and perished along the line.
    We made it here at the end of our tour from Bangkok. We had stopped at the JEATH Museum and the POW Cemetery which we found to be emotional experiences. The bridge is also very interesting considering the conditions the POW's were working with. We were surprised at how scenic the area is. That was a surprise. This museum, on the other hand, was the highlight or our trip. An appropriate building with displays that try to explain what happened and how the POW's were treated and how they were forced to cut through this section of mountain. A very eye opening and emotional experience. Highly recommended!
    Visited January 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 28, 2025
  • L Q
    72 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Moving memorial to the POWs that worked on the Death Railway
    Well designed. Free audio narration very moving. Rarely found in our Thai travels thus far: Safe water available to refill your water bottle. Be warned: there are many steps down to the pass itself. This memorial isn’t the easiest place to get to but for history buffs, very moving. Read “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” if you can.
    Visited February 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 3, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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MatthewJB
Cairns, Australia395 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is about 100km from Kanchanaburi. We hired a car for the trip there and back for 2200 Thai Baht. Yes, it was expensive, but the car was air conditioned on a very hot and humid day and the trip direct. The road is a divided four lane road for about half the journey. It takes a little over an hour. There are turning lanes and a few traffic lights in the main villages/towns along the way. Other options include the three times daily train and connecting local bus (basically all day) for a fraction of the price, or local tours that include Hellfire Pass and other attractions such as the Erawan waterfall and other nearby attractions. We based ourselves in Kanchanaburi, but very long day tours are available daily from Bangkok.
The Interpretive Centre is modern, and includes toilets, car parking, and vending machines for drinks and snacks. The main part consists of backlit screens of text in English and Thai accompanying photos and sketches made by the POWs recounting the horrors of the building of the railway. There is a 10 minute film screened on a loop that is worth watching. The real benefit is visiting the track of the railway, a few hundred steps down from the Centre. A short walk (40-45 minutes return) or a longer track (3 hours) is available. The short walk takes you to the Australian Government official War Graves Commission Memorial. A US Memorial Plaque is set to be unveiled on 23 October 2023. The audio guide for the walk, with a 200 Baht deposit, is worth listening to, with POW survivors recounting their first-hand experiences. If you’ve come this far, you should visit the Interpretive Centre.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NORMA G
Castelar, Argentina4,711 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
They told us what was experienced in the Second World War in this area. The construction of the HELLFIRE railway, between Burma and Thailand, named for the number of people who died. Different countries sent prisoners, the construction was in the middle of the jungle and with mountains. “Hellfire Pass”, a pass built in record time by Allied prisoners of war (mainly English and Australian) between 1942 and 1943. There are impressive photos of the people who worked. They worked 18 hours a day, almost without food, there were diseases like cholera among others that killed them.
Google
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne B
Port Augusta, Australia29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Travelled to Hellfire Pass with two brothers to investigate the history of a great uncle who worked on the Burma railway as an Australian POW. It was a very moving experience arriving at and experiencing the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. It was pristine with a few simple and meaningful displays. There was also videos of POW survivors which was very moving. The walk was very well maintained and quite easy to access and walk along. There were quite a few steps down to the pathway. The walk through the pass was very sobering and evoked many emotions. There were quite a few memorials and personal tributes along the way. It was a very thought provoking visit for knowledge on Australian involvement in the war. Would highly recommend for anyone to visit. The Australian Government needs to be congratulated on this wonderful memorial to all the POWs.
Written January 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fabrice S
73 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Always good to maintain the memory of the horror of this Second World War! The small museum is interesting to understand the titanic and deadly construction of this railway between Thailand and Burma orchestrated by the Japanese and more than 400km long. If you have to go for a walk in the mountains (walk 2) about 6km round trip, count 3 hours of walk at a quiet pace and plan sneakers because very stony path. On the way back, a tiny pool fed by a natural spring below the stele in tribute to the dead Americans to cool off before leaving. We bathed in it...but it may not be very allowed...
Automatically translated
Written August 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chiangmaicharlies
Chiang Mai, Thailand5,577 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
It will almost certainly make you wonder at humankind's ability to harm its own species and commit such atrocities, when you take the time to view many of the fine exhibits in the museum. Daunting, but worth it.

The museum and the rest of the buildings, steps and trails are well designed, tidy and clean. There are Thai staff here, but I'm sure the whole Centre has been designed and implemented by Australia, who lost so many lives in this area.

Outside there is a 20 to 30 minute walk to the Hellfire pass (part of the Thailand to Myanmar railway) with a number of interesting plaques and information boards. You can take an addition 1 to 2 hour walk (more difficult), should you wish.

This Centre is outstanding and should not be missed if you are in the area. There are good food and rest points, plus plenty of parking space right outside.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adrià Companys
Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Spain193 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
That day it was raining on us. The silence, the memory of what we had just seen at the Memorial and the remains of the rails gave us an account of what the prisoners of war turned into slaves had gone through.
A place to remember. Far from the most touristy areas but very important for the next generations to know what one day happened in the Second World War and to add that, as in most wars, there are no good guys or bad guys. Simply victims of what the rulers and their desire for power end up doing to the people.
Google
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
If your interested in your WW2 history or had family involved in WW2 you will find it hard not to get emotional as you visit and listening to first hand experiences of veterans on the videos provided. And later as you walk along the route thinking of what the POWs and Civilan population went through building the railway.

Very pleasant staff upon entry and at the facility. Toilet facilities clean and suitable. On site food pleasant.

Reasonably price memorabilia but only take CASH or Thai bank transfer so no Credit cards unfortunately.

Make sure you wear suitable foot wear, and mozzy repellent. And sufficient water and clothing when doing the walk.
Written July 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

naughtytory
Southampton, UK214 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Solo
I didn’t know enough about this until I got here. It’s such a huge tribute to the horror and endurance the POW experienced. Personally I wish I had time to do
The full trail but I walked half. It’s a really quiet and peaceful place now but the centre is so informative and the audio tour is a must. It really helps to bring to life the emotive narrative as you walk.

The first part is an easy walk but it gets more difficult as you walk further so be prepared. But the centre really look after you and give you a walking lie talkie to check in every hour for safety.

I was alone so it was really eerie but overwhelming at points.

It asks only for donations and there’s some lovely eateries outside.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Perry H
San Diego, CA1,786 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
You can see the work that was done and the path carved out for troops and railway work. The prisoners that must have lost thier lives in this endeavor is heartbreaking. You can see and walk much of this and in addition you can visit the museum for better insight.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic9,250 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
The place for sad memories. I recommend to put on some comfortable sport shoes and walk on hiking trail to the spot where the actual Hellfire Pass is. Additional information can be read/seen in the museum next to the parking place.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail, Tha Sao

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