Kanchanaburi Historic Sites

The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is situated at the North-Western region of the town and along Saen Chuto Road. It is a burial ground for those unfortunate prisoners and laborers who died in the construction of the infamous bridge over the Kwai River or ‘Death Bridge’.

The construction started during World War II in September 1942 with the intention of providing a steady supply line to the troops fighting in Burma.

The Japanese engineers estimated that it would take around 5 years to complete the 257 miles track; however over 61000 allied prisoners were made to work in inhumane conditions out of which 16000 died from diseases like beri beri, cholera, malaria, typhoid and others.

Another 200000 Asian labors, mostly Thai, were forced to work and over 80000 met with death eventually. The graves of these people are situated in the cemetery.

The ashes of more than three-hundred men who lost their lives in Nieke camp during an epidemic also lie in 2 graves and there are several other war graves.