Recently, I travelled with TakeMeTour to the Death Railway in Thailand. The Death Railway is considered one of the Top 10 most dangerous railway in the world.
What is the Death Railway?
During World War 2, the Imperial Japanese army had forced more than 330,000 forced labours and allied prisoners of wars (POWs) to work on the 415 km railway between Thailand and Burma. The Death Railway started in September 1942 and was completed in October 1943, in a short span of 13 months.
Why is it called the “Death Railway”?
The railway has a few names from Burma Railway, Burma–Siam Railway, Thailand–Burma Railway and the Death Railway. The living and working conditions to build the railway were often described as “horrific”, with maltreatment, sickness, and starvation. It is estimated that out of the 330,000 forced labours, more than 106,000 died building the 415 km railway. The building of the railway has caused many deaths and it is seen as a war crime committed by Japan in Asia.
How my trip to Death Railway begins?
My journey starts at Thonburi Station which is frequent by the locals on weekdays, while on weekends, there are specific trains from the Hualamphong station for tourists. Thonburi Station is about 30 mins away from my hotel which is located at Pratunam Area. I was supposed to meet my local tour guide at 7.20am. Traffic is terrible in Bangkok, and I reached Thonburi Station at 7.25am instead. Thank goodness, my local tour guide from TakeMeTour has asked me to meet at the station 30 mins before the train is leaving to the Death Railway.
I was surprised to know that the Thonburi Station is vastly different from the Hualamphong station, which is the main railway station in Bangkok. After reaching Thonburi Station, I met my local tour guide ON and her friend Kate. I was relieved to know that the train has yet to depart.
As the train would be about 4 hours, and I was feeling hungry, as I rushed all the way from my hotel to Thonburi Station without any breakfast. ON and Kate, brought me to the local market just opposite Thonburi Station to grab my breakfast.
I had sticky rice and some local bbq meat similar to Singapore’s satay. As my tour is inclusive of all tickets, transport, and food, ON and Kate paid for my food and bought bottles of mineral water for the trip.
The train is non-air conditional, the train seats are similar to your bench seats and are less crowded, with vendors selling food and drinks on the train. It is recommended to seat on the left side of the train.
I enjoyed the experience of taking the train, with the wind blowing on my face and it was nice getting to know my TakeMeTour guides.
ON shared that she is doing her Doctorate in Mathematics, while Kate is a lawyer, their impressive credential made my jaw dropped. ON shared that I am her first tourist from TakeMeTour.
ON and Kate highly recommended that I try the rice in banana leaf. I am surprised by its unassuming look, as it tastes awesome.
Bridge on the River Kwai
Crossing the Wampo Viaduct
The craziest place along this train ride is the Wampo Viaduct, a long wooden bridge just after Tham Kra Sae Cave. This was built along the edge of the Kwai Noi river, clinging to a bare stone cliff for some 300 meters.
After reaching Nam Tok station, ON and Kate has asked me to keep my camera while they negotiated the price with the Tuk Tuk driver, I was supposed to look like a Thai-Chinese, while they speak in Thai to the driver. The Tuk Tuk is different from the one in Bangkok, it is like a minivan, and can seat up to 8 pax. We were taking the Tuk Tuk to the Sai Yok Noi waterfall.
After about 10 mins on the TukTuk, we reached the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. We were surprised to know that as the Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi Province is facing a drought and have not been raining, there wasn’t any water at the waterfall. While talking to the guide at the national park, she had shared that this is the first time in her 10 years career that she has seen the waterfall not having any water.
I guess that was a surprise surprise, I considered myself kind of lucky to be able to see this phenomenon. After leaving the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, ON and Kate suggested that we head down to the Bridge on the River Kwai area. ON and Kate from TakeMeTour, brought me to the bus stop and we waited patiently outside Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, to take a local bus to the bridge.
The bus journey was about 1hour from the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall and about 10 mins walk to the Bridge at the River Kwai. It started raining about 10 mins after we reached the bridge, ending the drought, which prompted us to head over to the war museum to understand more about the Imperial Japanese Army and the World War II.
The bridge on the River Kwai is now a major tourist attraction and the hub of intense commercial activity. After visiting the River Kwai, On and Kate negotiated for motorbike taxis, to bring us back to the bus station to take a bus back to Bangkok, Independent Monument.
Why should you travel with locals using TakeMeTour?
#1 Get to know the locals
The trip allows me to know what the locals like to do, how is their life in Thailand, and what are the famous food that they have. I am surprised and amazed by ON and Kate, 2 wonderful ladies, shared their life and their travel experience with me.
#2 Get to experience the local transport
I had the experience to take the train on the death railway, the tuk-tuk to the waterfall, the local bus to the bridge on the river kwai, the motorbike taxi to the bus station, and the bus back to Bangkok area.
#3 Get to try the local food
If I had travelled alone, without ON and Kate, I would not have the experience to try the local food. (I am always extremely cautious about eating food, as I am worried about getting food poisoning while travelling)
TakeMeTour is not a Tour agency, therefore the guides that you see on TakeMeTour are local experts. It is an interesting way to see Thailand through the eyes of the locals.
Check out the tour package that I was on at TakeMeTour, it cost 1650 THB per person and it is inclusive of transportation fares, meals, and admission fees are included.
ON & Kate, Thanks for being such awesome guide. Thanks for sharing your life, your experience, your country with me. It was definitely an awesome way for me to see Thailand. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Disclaimer: Thank you, Take Me Tour for inviting me on a day tour. As always, all opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
Super cool day trip. Bangkok is so chaotic, it must have been nice to take a day trip out into the countryside. I’ve heard about the Death Railway, but didn’t realize the sheer number of POW’s used for its construction, and how many died in the process. Truly shocking.
Love it! How come I never heard of it?! Going to bike over death road in 2 weeks in Bolivia, looks like I am now into doing all these *death* type of things!
what a fantastic trip and so scenic….I love to take trains and this one is definitely unique
What a great trip. I would love to visit this area. I rally like visiting and seeing places of historical interest and since I love Asi I could see myself spending a lot of time here. I would really like to visit the war museum.
Wow, this looks like an amazing experience! If only I knew, I was in Bangkok not long ago –this would have been a perfect tour!
You 3 points for taking the TakeMeTour are great and reason enough for me to want to go. Although it was a surprise I guess it was also a disappointment not the see the waterfall with actual water. Too bad 🙁
Sounds like an interesting adventure 🙂
The rice in the banana leaf bowls look delicious. The tour looks great at a good price too!
What a great trip if you want to get out of bustling Bangkok. The journey looks fantastic!
Wow – looks super nice and also spectacular. We traveled by train a lot when in Thailand but missed this one, I’ll add it to my list for our next visit 🙂
I didn’t take this train, but I took the train from Bangkok towards Cambodia and it was a pretty incredible experience. This tour is definetely one that is educational and a good feel for the Thailand’s culture/history.
What an interesting adventure. I love train rides so this is definitely something I would try. But I can’t believe how close those people are beside the train tracks. Crazy!
That Wampo Viaduct would make me so nervous! TakeMe Tour seems like a sweet company to check out – love anything that gets locals involved!
This railway line is a living breathing history all around with beautiful scenery to photograph from the windows as you watch the countryside go by. Those guys in the GIF are awfully close to the train.
I love tours like TakeMyTour – so much more interesting and in depth than travelling through an organised tour. I never heard of the Death Railway, it sounds very interesting.
Pingback: Best Of Thailand - The Ultimate Thailand Guide - Where Sidewalks End - WSE Travel
If you go all the way to Kanchanaburi, I highly recommend going on to Hellfire Pass. This historical site has been preserved and is presented in a very moving way. Well worth the journey.