Hellfire Pass - Open At Any Time?

[Madivad]

I'm in Kanchanaburi at the moment, and wanted to visit Hellfire Pass. But as I pulled up the gates were closed and it didn't look like anyone was around. It was raining and so I thought I'd investigate closer as wwe came back past it (which isn't going to happen until later tonight now).

So is it possible to visit the Pass at anytime or are there specific times of the year it's open? When we went past is was before 2pm so I would have expected it to be open.

Oh and I would look it up on the Internet, believe me, I tried. The page is timing out here. I'm on the iPhone and it won't load. Any info would be appreciated.

[dean999]

If its any help here is the phone number for Tourist Information -

(034) 511200, (034) 512500

I got it off this website http://www.visitkanc...ri.com/info.htm.

I can't see anything saying its shut.

Hope this helps.

edit: You could also try contacting some tour operators, they would know if it was shut. I have also looked at a few other sites. There is nothing to say its shut. I read there are buses that run from 5am till 10pm. So i can't see why it was shut at 2pm.

[Madivad]

Thx for all that info. I was talking to an operator this morning, that's why I was so shocked. I'll be passing by there soon enough, I'll actually turn in and have a look - yeah, I would expect it to be closed now, but maybe there's a sign. At worst I'll give them a buzz in the morning. Thanks again. If you've tried using an iPhone in a 2G or edge area, you'd appreciate how greatful I am. Thank god thaivisa have a low bandwidth version!

[Richard4849]

The gate is kept closed. If you drive or walk up you will see a sentry booth inside where you exchange a drivers license or other ID for a pass. They will then let you in. Open daily till 18:00.

[Madivad]

Ok, thanks for that Richard. I'd already stopped off and spoke to the security guard, he didn't mention the ID thing, but said they closed at 3pm, I just assumed they must have closed early. But now after reading your post, I see the err of today.

Didn't really matter, it was raining and didn't want to go trekking in the rain anyway. Will be there bright and bushy tailed tomorrow, hopefully beating the masses.

Edit: and prey tell, the weather too! Just saw your 6pm comment, he did tell the misses though, they close the gates early to new customers, the ones inside I suppose are right til 6

[mca]

you'll find the security guard was actually a soldier as it's located on army land. i believe the opening times are 9-4

[Richard4849]

you'll find the security guard was actually a soldier as it's located on army land. i believe the opening times are 9-4

Yes, sorry -- 16:00 not 18:00.

Soldier, security guard...whatever. They ask you to exchange ID for a pass.

[Madivad]

Well that accounts for the uniform, but the lack of big gun made him nowhere near as formidable as the soldier at the 3 Pagonas Pass today. :-)

[Madivad]

you'll find the security guard was actually a soldier as it's located on army land. i believe the opening times are 9-4

He did tell the misses 3, but 3 or 4 I plan to be there before that anyway

[Madivad]

Ok, I have the low down now:

- yes, gates always closed, approach them and they may come around, eventually I got out and went to him (I could see him sitting in his chair outside the hut watching us),

- no, he doesn't need any ID, I tried to give him one from advice above (I was just trying to be helpful), but he gave it back to me

- the hours are 9am to 4pm (1600), but they don't let any more people in after 3pm

- the ID is required (as us a 200฿ deposit) to "borrow" the headsets to hear the tour info

- they are only closed Christmas day (which I thought odd because that's one day that's NOT a holiday for them - generally).

Great day, enlightening, humbling.

The only thing I could say is, if anyone know someone who's going, tell them to get the bl00dy headsets! They're free and full of information you're NOT going to find anywhere else!

[Richard4849]

Hmmm...last time I went there I got there twenty minutes before closing time and was let in without question. Definitely better to get there with more time to spare, though, as twenty minutes was not nearly enough.

[Madivad]

The guard told the misses that last night, I didn't actually confirm that part.

And what the h3ll did you do in 20 minutes? LOL

I was both impressed and not impressed at the same time. I'm happy with some of the photos I got but I couldn't really get some that I was after. There were two whacking great big construction barriers blocking off two parts of it. Spoiled the chance of length long "authentic" looking photos. They also had the little lookout above the pass closed, they were working on it.

As can be seen in another forum, I was with the misses and having warned her about Erawan Falls later in the day she pretty much put her foot down at the 12th audio stop (the second one after the memorial - where the great view is and the covered bench). I would love to have continued but I also wanted to do the falls.

Both were good, but next time I'm doing the entire length.

Edit: fixed iPhone autocorrect errors

[robbo1]

I found Hellfire Pass very moving, there happened to be an old Digger who was visiting and listening to him was quite emotional the hardship they endured.

Well worth a trip for those interested in the history of the second world war.

I think that Hellfire Pass is run by the Australian Army.

Please cxorrect me if I am wrong

[Madivad]

I could be wrong here too, but I think it's run by the thai military but sponsored/funded by Aussies? Then again, I'm surprised it's open everyday except christmas, maybe more Aussie than thai. Aussies run it, but it's worked by the thai military?

I really have no idea, Richard? Anyone else? What's the low down?

[Richard4849]

No idea. But I'd guess that the actual facility is Aussie-run but located in a Thai army compound.

[JusMe]

It was built by and is run by the Australian Department of Veteran Affairs.

Located on Thai military land, they do have a liaison with the Thai military, which occasionally becomes a bit abrasive, but it is a completely Australian run operation.

[Madivad]

it is a completely Australian run operation.

Right down to the 5฿ it costs to use the toilet