Bangkok to Phuket Roadtrip - Day Two - Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi

[@senianns9522]

Amazingly you can still see the cuts made by driving a stake into the rocks pre blasting! What an arduous task to perform in the heat and humidity! Those poor guys were true heroes! Respect to all!

[@neilchurch4383]

Thanks Tim. A wonderful interview, and thanks to Khun Nan for relating the experience of what the Pow's had to endure. I was at the Dawn service this morning and it was extremely moving. The Interpretive Centre is a wonderful place to visit and reflect on the sacrifice that so many from all nations that were involved in the Thai Burma Railway have given for our freedom. Lest We Forget.

[@Daniel-ox2zr]

I spent a good chunk of a day they're walking the entire pass with the headset on listening to men that had actually been there tell their stories. Brought tears to my eyes

[@brucerobinson1037]

Great stuff Tim, and a big thank you to Khun Nan, what a lovely intelligent young lady. I visited with my wife many years ago, after we had inspected the war cememtry and the mock up huts, on entering Hellfire Pass my wife could not go thru it, just way too emotional. Thank you for showing us this video. Lest we Forget

[@Wilko11]

Was at the awesome Hellfire Pass museum not long after it opened more than 20 years ago, very impressive & sad what they achieved & endured there.Also went to Gallipoli in 1990 for the 75th commemoration.There was still a few veterans alive, who were well enough to travel there for it.For many it was their first time returning to the battlefield. It was a very moving ceremony at Lone Pine.Bob Hawke gave a very emotional speech and struggled to keep his composure with the veterans around him.The Turks showed great respect for the Aussies & Kiwis who were there. RIP 🇦🇺🇳🇿🇹🇷Lest We Forget🌿👍

[@scottDchicago]

This expert @ 6:38 receives a standing ovation from the Windy City and so does Tim for this truly special episode. This is award winning material and TNT is as sharp as ever!

[@thomaswright8137]

A truly remarkable piece of work to cut out a pass from solid rock with hand tools under force labour and appalling conditions, half starved to death and beaten by the Japanese soldiers and guards then the mosquitoes bringing diseases. It's on my bucket list to visit when I return to Thailand in October, a very somber visit no doubt. Thanks for sharing Tim.

[@kellgiggs6593]

Such a humbling place to visit. There is still a boring tool stuck in the granite rock face which had snapped in two white been driven in, an image always etched in my mind. Respect to all the brave souls who had to endure the hell of this place.

[@howarde6047]

I’m an American and I come to pay respects always.

[@markanderton4901]

I have been there and also seen the cemeteries in Kanchanaburi, impossible to walk through without shedding many a tear.

[@andyclay1392]

Thanks Tim really nice job. Some forget the importance of remembering atrocities and honoring those that suffered under an oppressive hand. Here is a remark about how tired someone is of honoring death, destruction and war. I dont see it that way. I was at Terezin outside of Prague last fall. Its a Nazi work camp left untouched. I've never had such an emotional experience in many years. These reminders are quite important. It helps us keep our humanity and keeps us from becoming numb.

[@comaca]

Impressive. I rather thankful for a history lesson always. And really like this kind of content. It's a view to history. Should never be repeated. Thanks Nan and Tim for this.

[@thequeenslandtiger]

Thanks for this video, Tim. It was a very good interview. K.Nam is very knowledgeable, and to hear the story from her is quite moving. One thing you didn’t mention is that Weary Dunlop’s ashes are spread at Hellfire Pass : I was stopped in my tracks when I learnt this (via a sign) on my first visit . Dr. Edward Dunlop… a great man. I hadn’t realized that they had improved the museum : I must visit again. Lest We Forget.

[@NeilSolberg]

A very moving place to visit ,highly recommend.Lest we forget.

[@kentaitchison889]

Thanks Tim I’m living in Thailand now and I’m doing it next year without fail

[@DanVerwoert1945]

There are several memorial cemeteries where POWs are buried near Hellfire Pass in Thailand and also at the end of the Burma Railway in Burma. These are sobering reminders of the costs paid in human lives resulting from WWII.

[@williamhartz8707]

Nice video presentation- camera work, interview, & background music.

[@johnjwhitbread]

Tim thank you so much for bringing this history to us all.

[@Joe_P593]

Thank you Tim for creating this informative video. I visited the area in 2020 & 2023. Very moving. To the south there is a wonderful lodging- "Home Phutoey" perched immediately above the River Kwai. Surreal experience to be in a very comfortable facility in the area where 75+ years earlier, many thousands died under inhumane conditions. The hotel also has an open air museum covering a couple of acres with interpretive displays, photographs, documents, tools etc. There is also an old locomotive & half a dozen box cars from the era. Highly recommended to make the journey off the beaten path.

[@VegasJim]

Thanks Joe P for the additional info. Will add to my list of things to see and do when next in Thailand.

[@MisterPhat]

Very nice camera work too, that dolly shot (probably hand-held, no? smooth though) through the Hellfire Pass with its walls visible on both side, very nice. Like being there.

[@graemeaylward8313]

When I was younger, a friend of my father came to visit my father,. I believe his name was Rev. Dodds, a minister of religion, he was a POW who worked and survived on this Railway of Death. He returned a broken man, but then he wrote a book about it to help him in his recovery and became a Pacifist like my father, campaigning for peace. I have never forgotten the impact he had on me including some sketches he made on scraps of paper or linen of his ordeal. A remarkable man. Now that I reside in Thailand I intend to visit Kanchanaburi and explore the railway which he worked on and where many of his fellow POWs and others, died.

[@gabrielecharlotte3547]

For anyone, who says they want to visit Kanchanaburi... Come at Loi Kratong (this year its pretty late in November). This Thai Holiday is wonderful and at the same time a 2 week festival happens in Kanchanaburi when the Thais, every night, reinact the last few days of world war 2. Its sooo amazing and every year a bit different. Most times there is a huge stage errected on the river Kawai, next to the Bridge and Opposite a huge Chinese Temple. Its an amazing outside Musical and Theatre performance. During these 2 weeks Kanchanaburi is beautifully decorated and some areas are carnival like with rides, life music...and of course...😅 lots of food. Its a magic time yyo explore Kanchanaburi and the Erawan Waterfalls are only sn hour ir less dtive away...

[@gabrielecharlotte3547]

Sorry made a few writing mistakes

[@ronaldmartin7892]

Thanks for this, Tim. The first time I visited this was over thirty years ago. The memorial centre was not as modern as it is now obviously and it had a different slant on things. It was at the end of the Kwai Bridge. In the evening I went to a light and sound show about The Bridge, which was held down in a gully with seating arrangements. It was a very emotional experience and brought me to tears, like some others I noticed. Having experienced the London Blitz perhaps it brought home to me the suffering and futility of war. Here we are years later and the human race still continues to destroy itself. What is it in the human makeup that incites war? What a pity we can't take out those power crazed individuals and dispose of them. Think of the lives and suffering it would save.

[@davidcronk64]

I went there back in 2006. Well worth the journey out to Kanchanaburi.

[@robertrippin-mm3fe]

Excellent presentation Tim … I personally have been twice to Hellfire Pass it’s emotionally exhausting you can just feel it… I think every Australian should try to get here to pay their respect especially on this special day….

[@scottDchicago]

Really enjoyed her contribution at 9:13 to this episode!

[@nigelbaker2717]

Hi Tim! I was fortunate to visit many years ago (1986). For me it was a very, very emotional visit! For me, when I was at the cemetery, I was able to pay my respects to a family member, who died on this railway. Good effort mate!

[@brendandaly5358]

Well done Tim my father was 2nd 40th from tasmanian. He was in the second group sent from changi with Weary Dunlop. Still in Kanchanaburi. A great Dawn service.

[@julianmoore3091]

Tim another place you should visit on your travels out of Thailand, is what was British North Borneo. It is the location of the worst death march in the history of WW2, although very few people have heard of it, and involved mostly Australian and British PoWs. The PoWs were transported from Singapore to Sandakan on the North East coast of Borneo to build an airstrip for the Japanese. As most of the buildings were made of wood and it became obvious the Japanese were going to invade the buildings were set on fire leaving just 2 buildings standing, the clock tower and the post office (now the tourism office). The Pow camp is now a memorial park and is such a moving place it brought tears to my eyes.Now looked after by you Austrailians like Hell Fire Pass it is well worth a visit. The story of the Death Marches is the Japanese when they understood they would lose the war marched the PoWs through the jungle and over the mountains to Renfrew in the foothills of Mt Kinabalu, of all the prisoners I think Only 4 survived out of over 2000 making it the deadliest march in WW2.

[@aussiechris9938]

Great work Tim, really well presented. Will visit there for sure on my next trip.

[@davidpattison5860]

Respect to all those who perished building the death railway and all those who made it home from all the nations involved , and thanks to the Thai people then and now who maintain the graves and cemeteries on a daily basis Regards Davy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇹🇭

[@donjordan8174]

Great story in a very important remembrance

[@waynearcher219]

Visited there in around 2009 was extremely interesting and moving also went to war grave cemetary in the area plus to river kwai itself a great experience

[@Followthebeard]

We had the privilege to visit hellfire pass and the museum several years ago. We were staying just down the road at the Hintok river camp. Being so close we arrived very early so got to walk the pass before the museum opened without any other people around. It was so moving thinking about the lives lost . Seeing the broken chisels still in the rock face the original sleepers and the pictures and personal memorials of those who lost their life there. Thanks for sharing the story Tim,

[@nowhere6328]

Appreciate your effort and great reporting! I was unaware of Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi

[@julianmoore3091]

Tim first visited the death railway 36 years ago, then you could only go as far as Nam Tok. One thing that saddens me is there is a monument to about 300 Americans who died (all bodies exhumed and returned to the States) About 7000 Allied (British,Australian,New Zealand, Dutch Pow's and those known unto God. But nothing to the estimated between 100,000 and 200, 000 labourers who died, (Imperial Japanese Army) burnt any records. Have visited the Kanchanaburi cemetery, The Japanese and Allied war museum and the main cemetery near Rangoon. so sad to see the ages and now, looking at the modern day youth in the UK OH HOW WE HAVE LET THESE BRAVE PEOPLE DOWN.

[@MisterPhat]

how did you let them down?

[@VegasJim]

Thanks again Tim. Great presentation, and added detail by the 'Hellfire Pass' personnel. Will have to visit the area someday!

[@pegelliott4058]

Thank you for the history lesson.

[@davidhodgson977]

Morning Tim, thank you for showing us hellfire pass, I myself was very moved. many people don't know how well off they are in our days.

[@jackh1749]

Great! Thanks Tim!!

[@jimcraiggeezer]

Respect to the Anzacs and the commonwealth soldiers and all the Malays.. thousands died in horrendous conditions..

[@MisterPhat]

Great piece, it shows a side of Tim I wish we'd get to see more of, thinking back to his story showing the commemoration exhibit for the Thammasat massacre in the 70s, back on the Thaiger.

[@hiltonlabrooy1486]

Thanks Tim. Very interesting. Two of my uncles were forced labourers on this railway.😞

[@hansrow]

Great work. Would be interesting to point out the collaboration of Thai government with the Japanese in general and at the construction work in particular.

[@notinservice3724]

good one, thanks Tim

[@pablozorro3507]

A special thanks to you Tim for taking the time to make this special episode, and to Khun Nan for sharing her knowledge. It has special meaning to me and my family as my Great Uncle James Fox was one of the POWs involved in building the Thai-Burmese railway, and is now resting in peace in the Singapore cemetery, having somehow survived the extreme conditions and challenges faced in Thailand but eventually succumbing in Singapore. Lest we forget 🙏

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for you message

[@donnyohable]

I really enjoyed this. Well done and thankyou Tim

[@CA-1954]

LEST WE FORGET MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.

[@hadynjeffrey8210]

Great video and very good interview she was lovely and very interesting to listen to

[@chalermchaiwattanawongpitu7196]

Hi! lest We forget...R.I.P.

[@SM68Pete]

My first trip to Kanchanaburi was in 2007, my first time in Thailand. Moving memorial. Not sure if it's the same museum I saw back then.

[@timnewtontoday]

No. Quite new. This is at Hellfire Pass

[@fredm1519]

Well done video. It is important to remember history in general and in this case forced sacrifice of the soldiers and civilians… who never got the chance to live a full life.

[@rodkennett5361]

Tim, there were no New Zealand Army units involved in the Malaya/Singapore campaign. Nonetheless, there are 13 Kiwis buried in Thailand from that time that are known about. There are thought to be 90,000 Asian civilians who died on the railroad, and 16,000 PWs of whom 2,815 were Australian. Those figures do not detract from its status as a sacred site for Aussies.

[@johnswift1736]

She avoided a little true. More of the Asians came from British Malayia. The 5 southern provinces were British Malayia but annexed by thailand during the war and never returned. If you go to the Kuala Lumpar Museum you will see a map with the 5 provinces shaded and written across with disputed territory.

[@PeterBrennan-oz8jq]

Best information is a book by Australian Doctor Edward "weary" Dunlop he was a P O W on the "death railway " adx the 3 pagoda pass on the Myammar border as well as the memorial at Sai Yok

[@barturbanek9117]

'The War Diaries of Weary Dunlop: Java and Burma' r u refering to this title?

[@peterking3186]

Bee there years ago about 2000 I remember the hot soup 🥣 they have to eat for short time so many burn their mouth and more almost have no food many Jung 🦟 and one danish man died here named Jensen I also sleep with my family nearby in the river and that memory we all still have very positive

[@wesleyyoung1082]

Great job Tim

[@harrywissink842]

I will certainly visit this memorable site

[@gma-68]

Lest we Forget ❤

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Sad about all the people that perished 😢

[@rayroams]

This was a very interesting episode. It was history I was unaware of. In memory of those who perished, and to you for keeping their memories alive. Best regards,

[@MisterPhat]

It's a good side trip from Bangkok, a quick train ride to get there. You can stay overnight and be back in the morning next day. We took a taxi back though at night.

[@rayroams]

@@MisterPhat - Thanks for the heads up. Much appreciated!

[@shane0traveller451]

I want to go to see this place ... Great Video!!

[@darryl.c7972]

Theres a movie based on this called Railway Man.

[@deanhunter1753]

Great movie and I posted the same thing on the last post

[@williamdonaldmoody5305]

Hi Tim love the platform sir Trying to get out of my house and get back to Thailand Huai Yai so much crap to get rid of

[@Dr_DeeDee]

The cutting was built for a railway I imagine. Wondering why the railway didn't survive, or why the route is not useful in modern times?

[@tookay5]

I would have liked an explanation of why they had to even make a cutting rather than going over the top or a detour in more favorable location. I suppose I will have to read up online to get that answer.

[@MisterPhat]

Note, if the museum was built 20 years ago, it means the person Tim thanks for allowing it is no longer with us. Choosing words carefully here to avoid trouble for anyone, myself included.

[@hansvanderschriek9966]

What you think about the Dutch. Many and Many, also one of my mother nephew.

[@fhorst02]

Yeah... As colonizers we (I'm Dutch also) occupied Indonesia... Ripe for the plucking for the Japanese 😢 Don't forget about the French and English, colonizing large parts of SE Asia, what was "liberated" by the Japanese. "Liberated" as after WW2 the call for independence became stronger and stronger in the colonies... And we (Europe) all left.. Positive outcome in the end!

[@Brocks-Travels]

Just noticed, that in your intro second still shot you can see me on the right side against the wall. Wearing an Akubra hat and dark shirt.. Correction, not me

[@Brocks-Travels]

I was there this morning

[@mikerichardson4240]

I go to the war graves every time i visit Thailand these service personnel lost their lives to ensure the world is free . The war graves are maintained to a beautiful standard

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

The name "hellfire" referres to thousands of oillamps, that were burning at night to continue the slave work in three shift system at all weather contitions. Non of the promissed payment was ever given. They did not only had to dig deep but also built 688 bridges. These war crimes make me think, Japan has no right to claim territory or islands back today from former allied countries. Only onethird of the track is in service today wich is sad. I hope one day the line connects Thailand with a peaceful Myanmar in the future.

[@Nipajim]

I had a friend who survived being a prisoner and working on the railway, but I remember him telling me, the Japanese treated their own Soldiers equally bad, my own Father said the same after surviving " The Battle of Kohima " 🙏

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

... these were no more regular jap soldiers. Had been sentenced by jap. military court to force labor

[@quinnerefc]

My uncle died making this railway

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@Bowloik00456]

Can you recommend a hotel or a hostel?

[@mosesbraun4760]

Hi Tim . Thanks again for the video . Was terrible what happens there . I have some friends from the Nederland many many years ago the telling me who was prisoner there in Japanese camp al the atrocities . But I read some comments here , is't a shame , many of them forget al the atrocities from the u.s army in Vietnam . Goodnight , stay safe there . See you tomorrow in a new video .

[@ชมพรรณโชติดิลก]

sad feeling always

[@Dr_DeeDee]

Very interesting. I never even heard about this memorial center.

[@JorgenD-original]

🙏🏻👍🏻

[@rallycsx]

I love her Aussie accent 😂

[@Paul-dv4dr]

lovely pronunciation but would you call that an Aussie accent?

[@tookay5]

@@Paul-dv4dr not 100%, but it was definitely noticeable to me.

[@dr.detroit2877]

I had no knowledge of Hellfire Pass or of ANZAC Day.

[@petersmith8134]

Your possibly American? They don't teach American's anything past the high tide mark.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

No more war crimes. Free Julian Assange

[@alanclarke14]

Let's hope Japanese tourists visit and come to terms with their legacies.

[@johnmaccabi181]

I disdain the fact we worship death, destruction, and war. You would think people would have something better to do. So many memorials to death. Like people don't have enough of it!

[@timnewtontoday]

Hopefully a reminder so we try not to make the same mistake

[@MarkRobert-BKK]

Indeed, Australia is usually at the front of the queue to join any war-mongering coalition, and that mindset's likely to continue given the recent massive increase in military spending.

[@123452315]

Thank you Tim for this coverage 💕💕💕