Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre

Top choice in Kanchanaburi Province


The infamous cutting known as Hellfire Pass was the largest along the length of the Thailand–Burma Railway, and the most deadly for the people forced to construct it; and this memorial, upgraded in 2018, is a poignant tribute. A small gallery lays out the history of the site and memorialises the victims with interviews from people who were there. Then you can descend the long set of stairs behind the museum to a trail following the original rail bed.

Locally referred to as Konyu Cutting, this 600m stretch earned its 'hellfire' nickname following the final 'Speedo' construction period where shifts of 500 prisoners worked 16 to 18 hours a day, and even the 'light sick' were marched back to work. The glow from burning torches cast eerie shadows of the Japanese guards and of the gaunt prisoners’ faces, so that the scene was said to resemble Dante’s Inferno. As you walk past imposing walls of rock, catching sight of occasional nails protruding from the chiselled surface, the free audio guide provides historical details and fascinating first-person accounts from survivors; it does an excellent job of conjuring up the conditions endured by the workers.

There are two walking routes. Walk 1 through Hellfire Pass is about a 1km roundtrip and not difficult. Walk 2 out to Hintok Cutting is about 5km and has some steep climbs and uneven surfaces. Lockers are available and snacks on sale in the centre's lower level.

The museum is 80km northwest of Kanchanaburi on Hwy 323 and can be reached by Sangkhlaburi and Thong Pha Phum buses (fan/AC 50/65B, two hours, every 30 to 45 minutes). The last bus back to Kanchanaburi passes here around 5pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kanchanaburi Province attractions

1. Tham Lawa

4.12 MILES

Walking along the dimly lit 280m trail through Lawa Cave you'll pass several large chambers with imposing stalactites, stalagmites and other odd rock…

2. Nam Tok Sai Yok Lek

8.8 MILES

Despite its name (lek means 'small') this waterfall is actually a little bigger than it's companion Sai Yok Yai (yai means 'large') on the other side of…

3. Sai Yok National Park

8.92 MILES

Caves, waterfalls and forest trails draw walkers to Sai Yok National Park (958 sq km), which never gets too crowded. The main sights are easily reached…

4. Nam Tok Sai Yok Yai

8.98 MILES

Though just 8m tall, this is an impressive, beautiful waterfall that runs out of the forest to a short, graceful drop into Mae Nam Khwae Noi. It can be…

5. Tham Phra That

9.08 MILES

This is one of our favourite caves in Thailand. Five hundred and ninety two steep steps and a tight squeeze take you into a stadium-sized chamber full of…

6. Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi

10.52 MILES

This lovely waterfall, also known as Nam Tok Khao Pang, is a very popular place for Thais, who flock here at the weekends to have a swim and roll out…

7. Tham Daowadung

11.54 MILES

Beautiful Tham Daowadung is rich with rock formations, and bats, crickets and snakes inhabit its eight chambers. There are lights but not stairs; the…

8. Erawan National Park

12.82 MILES

Splashing in emerald-green pools under Erawan Falls is the highlight of this very popular 550-sq-km park. Seven tiers of waterfall tumble through the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "thailand/kanchanaburi-province/attractions/hellfire-pass-interpretive-centre/a/poi-sig/1148167/357680",
      "destination": "Kanchanaburi-Province",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Thailand",
      "region": "Kanchanaburi-Province",
      "position": "superzone"
    }