Anzac Day In Kanchanaburi, Thailand

[Rooo]

Lest we forget.

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Title: ANZAC Day in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Monday, 25 April 2011

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Each year on 25 April, ANZAC Day in Thailand is commemorated by conducting a Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast at Hellfire Pass and a Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery.

Details for these events are:-

Dawn Service – Hellfire Pass

Time: Memorial Service commences at 0530 (5.30am) and

lasts approximately 40 minutes.

Venue: Konyu Cutting, below the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, Kanchanaburi Province. The trip from Kanchanaburi town to Hellfire Pass is approximately 80 kilometres and takes about 45 minutes by road.

Notes: Walking into the site takes approximately 20 minutes via steps and along the old railway line. The track along the old railway line is rocky and uneven in areas and suitable footwear is highly recommended.

Gunfire Breakfast – Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

On completion of the Dawn Service in Konyu Cutting enjoy a complimentary tea / coffee with traditional ANZAC Biscuits and a tot of Bundaberg Rum at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum.

Point of contact for Hellfire Pass service is:-

Mr William Slape Manager, Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

E-mail: hellfirepassoawg at gmail.com

FOR SECURITY REASONS BAGS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO

BE TAKEN INTO HELLFIRE PASS

Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony – Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery Time: Memorial service commences at 1000 (10am) and lasts

approximately 50-60 minutes.

Venue: Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery, Kanchanaburi. The journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi is approximately 175 kilometres and takes about two hours by road.

Drinking water is available for attendees and light refreshments are provided after the service.

Point of contact for Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery service is:-

Mr Rod Beattie Manager, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre

E-mail: rbeattie at access.inet.co.th

E-mail: hellfirepassoawg at gmail.com

Notes

Services at both locations follow the same format as those conducted in Australia. For those visiting Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi for the first time, the following additional information is provided:-

Extremely hot weather conditions normally prevail during late April;

Access to the old railway cutting at Hellfire Pass is difficult for disabled persons;

Insect repellent should be worn when visiting Hellfire Pass for the dawn service;

Sensible footwear is recommended as there are numerous steps and loose rocks at Hellfire Pass;

A small torch should be brought for walking into the site of the Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass;

Toilet facilities at both sites are scarce and rudimentary at best;

Smoking is prohibited in the cutting and along the path to Hellfire Pass.

An umbrella or sun protection and bottled drinking water is highly recommended for the memorial service at Kanchanabui;

Mobile phones are to be switched off when entering Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery when attending the services;

FOR SECURITY REASONS BAGS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO BE TAKEN INTO HELLFIRE PASS

For visitors from Australia, the RSL generally coordinates tours to Thailand for ANZAC Day activities. Your local branch should be able to assist you with travel and accommodation inquiries, perhaps as part of a group tour.

The Australian Embassy and/or Defence Section in Thailand is unable to assist with personal travel arrangements. However, the table below provides a list of hotels located in Sai Yok and Kanchanaburi and some transport operators.

The list is not exhaustive and is not to be taken as a formal Embassy recommendation. Members of the public should carry out their own research before booking hotels or transport. The Australian Embassy and/or the Defence Section cannot accept responsibility for individuals who use one of the hotels or operators listed.

http://www.austembas...te%20Update.pdf

Post by : Kan Win.

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[prodriver]

That's an old email address for Rod Beattie.

His new one is: [email protected]

[zzaa09]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

[prodriver]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

I assume you're referring to the impressed Asian labour force made up of mostly Tamils, Burmese and Malays (Thais were not involved in the construction of the railway) Horrendous death rate of between 80,000-100,000. Their graves remain unmarked.

[BuffaloRescue]

Hi

There is a huge amount of information about the Anzac remembrance at Hellfire pass. How to get there, what to expect, what to bring etc etc http://www.gogoflorist.com/blog/2012/04/anzac-day-hellfire-pass-kanchanaburi-thailand-2012/

[Madivad]

Does anyone have any idea what time the car lark opens in the morning? Assuming 5:30 start with a half hour wall in that it would be at least 5am, but am hoping it's a little earlier than that. I'm aiming to be there 04:30 to try and get a good spot. Or is it just pointless?

[whybother]

Does anyone have any idea what time the car lark opens in the morning? Assuming 5:30 start with a half hour wall in that it would be at least 5am, but am hoping it's a little earlier than that. I'm aiming to be there 04:30 to try and get a good spot. Or is it just pointless?

I would expect to open by 4:30.

[whybother]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

This is an ANZAC day event by Australians and NZers. Others are also mentioned during the services, and at the various locations.

[nong38]

As an Englishman I do hope you all have a good Anzac Day.

[fredob43]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

I assume you're referring to the impressed Asian labour force made up of mostly Tamils, Burmese and Malays (Thais were not involved in the construction of the railway) Horrendous death rate of between 80,000-100,000. Their graves remain unmarked.

Point of order Thai's were involved and many died, I think you should look it up before making statement's that are not true. Or go to Hell fire pass as all the information is there.

[prodriver]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

I assume you're referring to the impressed Asian labour force made up of mostly Tamils, Burmese and Malays (Thais were not involved in the construction of the railway) Horrendous death rate of between 80,000-100,000. Their graves remain unmarked.

Point of order Thai's were involved and many died, I think you should look it up before making statement's that are not true. Or go to Hell fire pass as all the information is there.

I'm afraid you are wrong but don't take my word for it although I did double check the accuracy of my statements before posting. I suggest you contact Mr Rod Beattie who is one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the railway if you want the truth confirmed. I posted his email address in post 2.

FYI Rod Beattie is the curator of the two war cemeteries in Kanchanaburi and the founder of the Thailand - Burma Railway Centre.

[fredob43]

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

I assume you're referring to the impressed Asian labour force made up of mostly Tamils, Burmese and Malays (Thais were not involved in the construction of the railway) Horrendous death rate of between 80,000-100,000. Their graves remain unmarked.

Point of order Thai's were involved and many died, I think you should look it up before making statement's that are not true. Or go to Hell fire pass as all the information is there.

I'm afraid you are wrong but don't take my word for it although I did double check the accuracy of my statements before posting. I suggest you contact Mr Rod Beattie who is one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the railway if you want the truth confirmed. I posted his email address in post 2.

FYI Rod Beattie is the curator of the two war cemeteries in Kanchanaburi and the founder of the Thailand - Burma Railway Centre.

I quoted what was stated on plack's at hell fire pass, but I also looked it up Quote 180,000 forced labour were used from Indonesia, China, Burma, Singapore, & Thailand. At least 90,000 that's 50% died (but not one of them was Thai????) That's in addition to the 16,000 pow.

[prodriver]

Dear 'fredob43' Shortly after Hell Fire Pass Museum was opened back in 1998 I do remember reading on one of the information panels a reference to Thais dying during the construction of the railway....an inaccuracy that I pointed out at the time but with the panels already completed, I can understand why nothing was done about it.

You may be interested to know that there was an agreement between the Japanese and the Thais for the Thais to construct the rail bed from Nong Pladuck to Kanchanaburi and a truck road from Kanchanaburi towards the Three Pagodas but due to the 'procrastination' of the Thais the Japanese decided to take over the whole construction project. So technically Thais did work on a section of the railway, albeit briefly but it was an easy section compared to what lay ahead up country. If any Thais died whilst on that easy section they were more likely to have overdone it on the som tam and rice whisky

I must admit though that in the 17 years of living in Kanchanaburi I'm still learning new facts about the railway all the time. For instance, I've only just learnt that the Asian workers were not brought into Thailand until the "speedo" started in March 1943 (I had been under the impression that they were brought in from the very start of construction). I'll also let you into a little secret here. You may recall seeing the rail car supposedly used for taking away the spoil down at the cutting on the light gauge railway. Rod found that wagon up at the Burmese border at an old mine. We brought it down to Hell Fire in two pieces on the back of his pick-up truck. Although it's not from the actual site, Rod reckoned that it was similar to the sort of wagon that was used at the pass and gave visitors a good idea of how it was at the time. (I wonder if Bill, the current manager at Hell Fire knows that? ) Anyway, a secret no longer!!

[fredob43]

Dear 'fredob43' Shortly after Hell Fire Pass Museum was opened back in 1998 I do remember reading on one of the information panels a reference to Thais dying during the construction of the railway....an inaccuracy that I pointed out at the time but with the panels already completed, I can understand why nothing was done about it.

You may be interested to know that there was an agreement between the Japanese and the Thais for the Thais to construct the rail bed from Nong Pladuck to Kanchanaburi and a truck road from Kanchanaburi towards the Three Pagodas but due to the 'procrastination' of the Thais the Japanese decided to take over the whole construction project. So technically Thais did work on a section of the railway, albeit briefly but it was an easy section compared to what lay ahead up country. If any Thais died whilst on that easy section they were more likely to have overdone it on the som tam and rice whisky

I must admit though that in the 17 years of living in Kanchanaburi I'm still learning new facts about the railway all the time. For instance, I've only just learnt that the Asian workers were not brought into Thailand until the "speedo" started in March 1943 (I had been under the impression that they were brought in from the very start of construction). I'll also let you into a little secret here. You may recall seeing the rail car supposedly used for taking away the spoil down at the cutting on the light gauge railway. Rod found that wagon up at the Burmese border at an old mine. We brought it down to Hell Fire in two pieces on the back of his pick-up truck. Although it's not from the actual site, Rod reckoned that it was similar to the sort of wagon that was used at the pass and gave visitors a good idea of how it was at the time. (I wonder if Bill, the current manager at Hell Fire knows that? ) Anyway, a secret no longer!!

Thank's for the info very interesting. So Hell fire pass management have got it wrong and so have the internet. Oh well TIT. Incorrect info or not well worth a visit. The Anzac day looked like it went off well, good to see peep's keeping it up. Least we forget.