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
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.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,378 reviews
Excellent
1,757
Very good
527
Average
83
Poor
6
Terrible
5
chiangmaicharlies
Chiang Mai, Thailand5,650 contributions
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.
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.
Keith M
Poole, UK32 contributions
Jan. 2023
In writing this short review I simply want to reiterate what a worthwhile trip it is. I can't better the superlatives used by previous contributors as they've used them all up!! I found the place well run by respectful people who seem to appreciate why we visit the scene of the horrific treatment of our boys (and locals) who suffered unimaginably for those long horrid months during the build. I just wish the film-makers would revisit the original 'Bridge over the River Kwai' and bring some more fact into the original work of fiction to convey the true suffering in this particular theatre of war to a global audience.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ron H
Colo Vale, Australia477 contributions
Dec. 2022
Wow this was so much more than I expected. The Australian and Thai governments have done a an amazing job of building a memorial site and maintaining the true story, atmosphere and meaning of the site,
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martin D
Cambridge, UK29 contributions
Nov. 2022 • Couples
An outstanding place to visit and pay your respects to the POW’s who died during the war building the death railway. A very moving experience and well worth a visit!!!
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Luko667
Culburra Beach, Australia33 contributions
Nov. 2022
A moving memorial to the brave men that lost their lives at the hands of the Japanese captors. You can watch a short movie in the centre and take in the exhibits, then pick up an audio guide and take the self guided walk down to the cutting. The audio guide is quite immersive and it tells stories of the time as you walk between the points of interest and down through the cutting towards the memorial. The Australian government has done a great job making tribute of the lives that were lost making such a feat of engineering under extremely poor working conditions and with nothing more than hand tools. I visited Hellfire Pass as part of a day tour which also went to Erawan Falls. I wish that I had more time to do the much longer walk. A great day out.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
naughtytory
Southampton, UK140 contributions
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.
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.
Moe
Thailand4 contributions
Feb. 2022
Very informative museum with clear information in both Thai and English. Very safe and built with the safety of visitors in mind. 600 meter walk from the museum to Hellfire Pass. The walking path is in excellent condition.
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Misty Jones
7 contributions
Feb. 2022 • Family
Incredibly moving and very well done. Would thoroughly recommend. Check your audio guide carefully before setting off on the trails. Food options are limited if hungry but thoroughly recommend Aaya Baan nearby.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JJ K
Hua Hin, Thailand178 contributions
Dec. 2021 • Friends
After a rather lengthy closure, this remarkable memorial to the men who cut HELLFIRE PASS has re-opened to visitors.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WRome
Dubai, United Arab Emirates181 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Couples
Great experience to reflect. Be sure to bring lots of water and use the bathroom before you leave the pavilion.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LeeAnn B
Needmore, PA8 contributions
Is Hellfire reopened since Covid shutdown?
dmitch2050
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK106 contributions
Sorry I went before lock down no idea if it is open but so worth while and so impressive, haunting, so sad to see what they had to endure
Hi I'm looking at doing the River to Ruins visiting the River Kwai and Ayuthaya ancient city 3 day trip. Can you tell me whether the hellfire pass walking trail is included in the trip.
Thanks megan
EarlRay60
Kent, UK1,075 contributions
I'm not in a position to fully answer this question. I have however, walked the Hellfire Pass trail.
Geordie1943
Adelaide, Australia19 contributions
Hi, would you say this Memorial and Walk is suitable for someone with reduced mobility to access?.
clintgsy
30 contributions
Hi there,I would have to sorry but not really as from the museum which is at the top of the hill you take a long walk down a framed stair case and some of the steps are strap to the path which is at the bottom and from there you walk along the rail way which the path is very Stoney and has some of the rail way sleepers still in place.
I would how ever say if you do travel by mini bus etc to the museum the area at the top but the car park and the museum walk way and also in the museum are ok for access.
Hope this help in some way.
Thanks Clint.
Ernest H
London, UK1 contribution
We are planning to go to the museum next Friday, 12 May. The grounds are said to open at 07.30, we were hoping to start on the trail earlier so that it would not be so hot. Is that possible? Is it the same route there and back? How long would it take to walk the trail there and back and are there shady seats to sit and wait?
Thank you
Sue R
Northallerton, UK41 contributions
Not sure if you can access the path before the museum opens. However the narrative on the headset is very much worth waiting for. The simple narrative along with the 1st hand recounts is a major part of the experience
bubblymud
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia386 contributions
Hi, may I know the public bus 8203 from Kanchanaburi main bus station to Hellfire Museum, the bus is located at which platform? Is it B1?
Christian T
Saint Paul, MN134 contributions
I don't remember the exact platform, but the Kanchanaburi bus station is very easy to navigate and the staff are very helpful pointing out the correct buses.
Kanchanaburi buses have their bus number painted on the side of them, makes them very easy to find :)
KPoland00
2 contributions
Hi! How much upper body work would be needed to walk the track? e.g. are there any ropes that you have to pull yourself up with? I am wanting to go, however will not have the ability to really use my upper body to pull or push at any stage. I'm fit, but have read it has some challenging steep areas.
Thanks!
eyesbblue
Virginia626 contributions
I don't remember needing any upper body strength for the main trail. Maybe side trails but you can stay away from them. Just lots of steps.
lisacraig2017
Taree, Australia6 contributions
Hi,wanted to do private tour from bangkok mainly to see and walk hell fire pass,also bridge over river kwai,how long should you allow for both of these?
Matt L
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand182 contributions
No real need to do private tour as will just get ripped off to a degree.
The Bridge is easy. Train from Bkk stops at Kwae River Bridge. Check Thai railways site for times.
Can also get the train through to Nam Tok station.
From Nam Tok station just get a taxi from Nam Tok to Hellfire pass..about 800THB return.This will take you to Hellfire Pass memorial. Depending on just how much of the track is open it should take about 4 hours to walk.
Great train trip by the way.Sit on LHS of train when leaving River Kwai Bridge
Email these guys
hellfire-pass commemoration gov au/.They will tell you how much of the track is currently open.
And here is some help with your trains
railway co th/
Hope it helps
Enjoy the track
Amazing
edu48d
40 contributions
My 84 year old mother is visiting us in December and she wants to visit Hellfire Pass and the museum. She knew veterans who were prisoners and who worked on the railway.
Is there any way to get down to the pass apart from the steps? My wife and I visited the museum and Pass last year and mum will not cope with steps!
Thank you in advance
David E
Ken W
London, England, United Kingdom79 contributions
No am afraid not and it's a rocky walk
Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail (Tha Sao, Thailand): Hours, Address, Attraction Reviews - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail
- Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- We recommend booking Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 17 Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail:
- (0.00 km) Somnuk Elephant Camp
- (0.00 km) Suantan Resort
- (0.01 km) OYO 75325 Our House Tha Sao
- (1.37 km) Saiyok Yai Coffee Resort
- (1.92 km) Krit Raft House
- Restaurants near Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail:
- (0.00 km) Phae Sai Yok View
- (0.00 km) Krua Kon Loy
- (0.00 km) Rimnam Cafe’
- (3.68 km) Panax Pizzeria
- (10.43 km) Baan Tang Rim Kwae