Death Railway Museum and Research Centre, Railway museum near Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand
The Death Railway Museum and Research Centre sits beside the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and documents across two floors the construction of a railway line between Thailand and Burma during World War II. The exhibits display artifacts, tools, photographs, and personal items that illustrate the lives and working conditions of prisoners and forced laborers.
The railway construction took place between 1942 and 1943 as a major Japanese project during World War II. Over 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and around 200,000 civilian laborers participated in this undertaking, which was carried out under brutal conditions.
The museum functions as a memorial where families of former prisoners can research their relatives and connect with their wartime stories. Visitors discover personal accounts and honor the memory of those who lived through this difficult chapter of history.
The museum is open daily and offers guided tours and research assistance for visitors searching for information about specific people. There is a café with views of the nearby cemetery where you can rest between exploring the exhibits.
An Australian researcher named Rod Beattie has compiled extensive records of every single prisoner of war who worked on the railway. These records contain details such as camp locations and medical histories, making the museum a unique genealogical resource.
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