Sections of the World War II-era "Death Railway" have emerged in Thailand's Rantee River for the first time in 42 years. This follows a drop in water levels caused by dam maintenance, drawing significant online attention. The resurfacing occurred near Sangkhlaburi district after water was released from the Vajiralongkorn Dam, revealing parts of the historic railway route that had been submerged since the dam's completion in 1984.

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Local resident Kitti discovered the remnants stretching about eight kilometers from the Rantee Bridge to Sangkhlaburi. The findings include a laterite roadbed and a concrete water structure, likely used to refill steam locomotives. Authorities note that these features might remain visible only between April and June, contingent on water levels.

The Death Railway, built by Japanese forces during World War II, served as a strategic supply route between Thailand and Myanmar. Constructed from October 1942 to October 1943, it relied heavily on forced labor, including Allied prisoners of war and Asian workers. Many suffered and perished due to brutal conditions, disease, and malnutrition. After the war, parts of the railway were either dismantled or submerged due to the dam project, making these uncovered sections a poignant reminder of past atrocities.

Kitti encourages visitors, especially during the Songkran holiday, to explore the site to appreciate its historical depth. The railway's emergence not only captivates historians and tourists but also highlights the fragile relationship between history, nature, and human intervention.

Looking ahead, the area may temporarily become a tourist spot, raising awareness about the human cost of the railway's construction. As the water levels are unpredictable, this phenomenon might not last long, urging prompt visits for those interested.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 10 Apr 2026

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I remember watching a movie about this. They used european slaves to build this railway. Terrible conditions. I remember the Japanese soldiers ate some of the Indian pows. The Japanese refused to eat the white slaves due to their poor hygiene.

The "slaves" were mainly Prisoners of War, Australians, British, New Zealand, Dutch and some USA and Indian troops along with thousands of local people.

The conditions were horrendous and no movie could replicate the actual brutality and conditions these people were forced to endure.

My father was there and luckily survived but unfortunately many of his friends didn't.

3 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I remember watching a movie about this. They used european slaves to build this railway. Terrible conditions. I remember the Japanese soldiers ate some of the Indian pows. The Japanese refused to eat the white slaves due to their poor hygiene.

The United Nations stated that the African slave trade was worse.

41 minutes ago, nick supreme said:

The United Nations stated that the African slave trade was worse.

That's yes and no - not as easy comparison to make as they are two completely different events - both horrendous in their own right and certainly don't warrant comparison.

5 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I remember watching a movie about this. They used european slaves to build this railway. Terrible conditions. I remember the Japanese soldiers ate some of the Indian pows. The Japanese refused to eat the white slaves due to their poor hygiene.

There are a couple of movies (at least);

First one one was the "famous" "Hollywood Brigde on River Kwai" which all POVs hated.

Better one is "The Railway Man" with Colin Firth.

Some time ago already i met this lovely old lady in Kan,we talked for awhile a she told me she remembered the trains coming in with pow's to work on the railroad.

she said some Thai people used to throw water into the cars for the soldiers to drink but they were

chased off by the Japanese soldiers.

She was 16 at that time but she remembered it well.

Walking along the gravestones i found one with a very familiar name.

A very humbling experience.

3 hours ago, Artisi said:

The "slaves" were mainly Prisoners of War, Australians, British, New Zealand, Dutch and some USA and Indian troops along with thousands of local people.

The conditions were horrendous and no movie could replicate the actual brutality and conditions these people were forced to endure.

My father was there and luckily survived but unfortunately many of his friends didn't.

Over 100,000 Asians died on that project, about 10X as many Asians than Europeans. Seven Asians had graves. Nonsense that slaves were mostly Europeans. If you get your history from "Bridge" film, you'd think only Asians at sites were Japanese guards, etc. Infuriating. Also filmed in Sri Lanka, for what that is worth.

8 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Over 100,000 Asians died on that project, about 10X as many Asians than Europeans. Seven Asians had graves. Nonsense that slaves were mostly Europeans. If you get your history from "Bridge" film, you'd think only Asians at sites were Japanese guards, etc. Infuriating. Also filmed in Sri Lanka, for what that is worth.

True that it was filmed in Sri Lanka. About the film. The Bridge on the River Kwai wasn't blown up by a team but bombed a few times, with some prisoners the victims of the bombings. There are many stories on the Death Railway and Bridge that tell the truth. Hollywood sometimes fictionalizes things.

Hollywood always gets a lot of flak, but Hollywood was pretty faithful to French authors Pierre Boulle's book; "The Bridge Over The River Kwai". What Pierre Boulle was trying to say is a whole nother matter.

7 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I remember watching a movie about this. They used european slaves to build this railway. Terrible conditions. I remember the Japanese soldiers ate some of the Indian pows. The Japanese refused to eat the white slaves due to their poor hygiene.

Your history is a bit lacking in memory here.

4 hours ago, nick supreme said:

The United Nations stated that the African slave trade was worse.

African slave trade compared to the Burma Railway...what are you doing.

5 hours ago, Artisi said:

The "slaves" were mainly Prisoners of War, Australians, British, New Zealand, Dutch and some USA and Indian troops along with thousands of local people.

The conditions were horrendous and no movie could replicate the actual brutality and conditions these people were forced to endure.

My father was there and luckily survived but unfortunately many of his friends didn't.

More than 20,000 Malays were forcibly conscripted to work on the project and few survived. They actually represented the greatest fatality rate

It took some random farmer to notice this section of the railway during dam maintenance! Otherwise, it would have disappeared again, forgotten.

40 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

It took some random farmer to notice this section of the railway during dam maintenance! Otherwise, it would have disappeared again, forgotten.

Like the majority of the rail system now lost to the jungle and dam construction.

This rail track should be preserved and commemorated so that the world always remembers the suffering of the European slaves that were subjugated, enslaved and built the railway tracks. Those European slaves suffered terribly, and their slavery must never be forgotten.

7 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

This rail track should be preserved and commemorated so that the world always remembers the suffering of the European slaves that were subjugated, enslaved and built the railway tracks. Those European slaves suffered terribly, and their slavery must never be forgotten.

You keep rattling on about European slaves--stop it.

Read what others have posted

15 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

This rail track should be preserved and commemorated so that the world always remembers the suffering of the European slaves that were subjugated, enslaved and built the railway tracks. Those European slaves suffered terribly, and their slavery must never be forgotten.

Have you ever been there?

34 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

This rail track should be preserved and commemorated so that the world always remembers the suffering of the European slaves that were subjugated, enslaved and built the railway tracks. Those European slaves suffered terribly, and their slavery must never be forgotten.

I think you are trolling again...

9 minutes ago, jvs said:

Have you ever been there?

I wanted to visit the part of the track near Bangkok, to pay my respects to those white slaves that died during the train tracks construction. It must have been a humiliating experience for those white slaves, to suffer harsh treatment. It was a humiliating experience to even read what those white slaves suffered. You are right, I'll probably visit in July, so I know first hand where those white slaves were forced to work.

46 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

This rail track should be preserved and commemorated so that the world always remembers the suffering of the European slaves that were subjugated, enslaved and built the railway tracks. Those European slaves suffered terribly, and their slavery must never be forgotten.

Prisoners of war should never be equated with slaves. Slavery is rooted in white supremacy and represents a dark chapter in history. To compare POWs to those who were forcibly taken from Africa as part of the Atlantic slave trade is deeply disrespectful. We must stand firm in recognizing the true horrors of that period and ensure it is not minimized or overlooked.

15 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

I wanted to visit the part of the track near Bangkok, to pay my respects to those white slaves that died during the train tracks construction. It must have been a humiliating experience for those white slaves, to suffer harsh treatment. It was a humiliating experience to even read what those white slaves suffered. You are right, I'll probably visit in July, so I know first hand where those white slaves were forced to work.

Think you need a lot of education on the subject, you are really demonstrating your complete ignorance of what went on.

56 minutes ago, 1tooth said:

I wanted to visit the part of the track near Bangkok, to pay my respects to those white slaves that died during the train tracks construction. It must have been a humiliating experience for those white slaves, to suffer harsh treatment. It was a humiliating experience to even read what those white slaves suffered. You are right, I'll probably visit in July, so I know first hand where those white slaves were forced to work.

Near Bangkok?

I do not think "white slaves" were used for building the railroad.

The were prisoners of war!

I have a pretty good idea what your narrative is and i don't like it!

When i first started visiting Thailand, as many of us have done, i went to see the Hell Fire Pass centre in Kanchanaburi and walked the short trail. It was a very humbling experience. Imagining what the POW's and the regional forced labour went through in 40 plus degree heat with little water, food or medical help was something that i will not forget in a hurry.

4 minutes ago, WHansen said:

When i first started visiting Thailand, as many of us have done, i went to see the Hell Fire Pass centre in Kanchanaburi and walked the short trail. It was a very humbling experience. Imagining what the POW's and the regional forced labour went through in 40 plus degree heat with little water, food or medical help was something that i will not forget in a hurry.

Exactly what I did when I first visited Thailand, with my now ex wife. Going on the same train and wooden tracks from Bangkok was a good memory. Seeing the Railway Man, with him standing on the same bridge, and visiting Hellfire Pass, along with the cemetery was also good history that'll always remain. Stayed at the Bamboo House, a floating bungalow on the River Khwae Yai, a few hundred yards from the bridge.

2 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I wanted to visit the part of the track near Bangkok, to pay my respects to those white slaves that died during the train tracks construction. It must have been a humiliating experience for those white slaves, to suffer harsh treatment. It was a humiliating experience to even read what those white slaves suffered. You are right, I'll probably visit in July, so I know first hand where those white slaves were forced to work.

Your absolute stupid trolling is actually belittling to the soldiers and civilians who died during that shocking time. Have some compassion.

The two cemeteries are worth a visit.

1 minute ago, TedG said:

The two cemeteries are worth a visit.

Also the museum adjacent to the main cemetery is worth a visit, plus of course the Hellfire Pass area administered by the Australian Government is well worth the drive. The Anzac day Dawn ceremony at Hellfire Pass is a humbling experience.

7 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Also the museum adjacent to the main cemetery is worth a visit, plus of course the Hellfire Pass area administered by the Australian Government is well worth the drive. The Anzac day Dawn ceremony at Hellfire Pass is a humbling experience.

I’ll check out Hellfire pass next time. What was humbling to me was reading the ages off the headstones.

At the various related sites around Kanchanaburi, and the Museum beside the bridge, there are many original black and white photographs which show just how horrific it was for the POW, some of them are hard to look at.