Siam-Burma Death Railway – a revisit
Kuala Lumpur: The President of the Siam-Burma Death Railway group Malaysia is once again organising a trip to the historic site in Thailand for interested Malaysians.
“With the blessing of the Abbot of Wat Thavorn Wararam and the assistance of Brig. Gen.(R) Dr Surin Janpian, President of the Kanchanaburi Tourist Business Association, an old Pagoda built over the remains of thousands of Forced Labourers of the Death Railway, was formally adopted by DRIG as a Monument dedicated to the Asian victims of the Death Railway. In 2023, Public donations from Malaysia enabled the Pagoda to receive a facelift, followed by an Inauguration ceremony on 3rd June 2023. Annual Remembrance Events were held on the first Sunday of June. This year, the Death Railway Interest Group Malaysia (DRIG) is pleased to announce that the Remembrance Event at the Monument in Kanchanaburi will take place at 9 am on Saturday, 30th May 2026,” Chandrasegaran said in a statement.
All are invited to join us on your own arrangement, he added. Alternatively, those interested are welcome to join family members on a 7-day pilgrimage to the Death Railway sites, which would include the Remembrance Event at the Monument, places of interest in Kanchanaburi, and along the Railway route up to the border of Burma.
The itinerary for the trip:
Departure: 28-5-2026
By rail from Kuala Lumpur.
(Tentatively 9 am)
Return:
3rd June 2026 by flight from Bangkok.
Tentatively 6 pm)
Cost
RM 1850
Includes all travel expenses from the Railway Station, travel by rail and road in Thailand, Hotel (twin sharing), and return by flight.
Excludes meals, entrance fees, and personal expenses.
This pilgrimage is being organised at a nominal cost, especially for members and families of those affected by the Railway Project, to enable them to pay their respects to their loved ones and to visit relevant sites that offer a glimpse of what was the “mysterious” Death Railway.
Non-members can sign up en route.
It would be a good opportunity to travel as a group with those who share a common interest and sentiments, Chandrasegaran said. Further information could be obtained from the following link:
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSuNuRJBV/
As there are many Public and school holidays at the end of May and early June, Train tickets will sell out quickly, and Flight tickets will be expensive. Therefore, the organisers request that reservations be made as early as possible, preferably by 2nd April 2026, with a minimum deposit of RM 800. Balance of RM 1050 to be paid on or before 7th May 2026.
Payment to CIMB bank Account No 8605291226
For further info contact the following representatives of PERSATUAN PRIHATIN KERETAPI MAUT M’SIA (DRİG):
Sekaran- +60178887221
Subra – +60126640742
The traveling group will depart by train and return by flight. Travel by train is to have a sense of the journey our forefathers took to Siam.
Day 1 – Thursday 28th May 2026
i) Travel by express rail (ETS)* from KL to Padang Besar, at 10 am,
(to be present on platform 1 OLD RAİLWAY Station KL by 8.30 .am for press meeting and group photo session)
Arrive Padang Besar 3.16 pm .
Meet up with those traveling from the northern region.
The Thai Sleeper Train to Bangkok departs Padang Besar at 6 pm.
Day 2 – Friday 29th May
Morning
i) Arrive at Ban Pong station (7.28 am).
Pick up from Ban Pong Station
Have breakfast.
Briefing at the site of the former transit camp, through which all workers arriving by train had passed through during the construction of the death railway.
11 am Proceed to Kanchanaburi.
Lunch and check iHotelHotel.
Day 2 – Afternoon. 3 pm
Visit places of interest in Kanchanaburi – the Death Railway Museum, the POW cemetery, the Japanese Monument and the bridge over the River Kwai,
Day 3 – Saturday 30th May
Preferably dress in traditional attire _
9 am – Prayers and remembrance ceremony at Niranam Chedi (Monument for the Nameless Victims), Wat Yuan Cemetery.
12 noon Lunch
After Lunch( about 2pm)
Visit Death Museum,
View the Steam Locomotive and exhibits used during the war, near the bridge and Kanchanaburi Station.
Dinner.
Back to the hotel.
Day 4- Sunday 31st May – Ride on the Death Railway
6 am Take the first train from Kanchanaburi
i) Train ride on the Death Railway from Kanchanaburi to the last station. View the most scenic part of the Death Railway with the River Kwai on one side and the Hillside on the other.
8.30 am
Visit the area near the workers’ campsite. Pay respects to departed souls at the shrine.
11 am
ii) By road to Hellfire Pass (Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum + Walking Trail)
2.30 pm
Depart for Three Pagoda Pass on a winding uphill road
View the scenic spot of the lake that covers part of the Railway.
Check into the hotel in Sangklaburi.
Day 5 – Monday 1st June
8.30 am
Visit the Peace Temple, and the railway line remains on both the Thai and Burmese sides of the border.
11 am
Travel back to Kanchanaburi.
On the way, stop by Tham Kra Sae Cave, walk on
Wampo Viaduct with a good view of the River Kwai
Check in at the hotel in Kanchanaburi.
Day 6 – Tuesday 2nd June
8 am departure for Bangkok.
Day Tour
Lunch
2 pm check into Hotel
Rest
4 pm, Leave for the event.
5 PM Discussion, an interactive session with members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Vision, Thailand
7 pm onward Free and easy
Day 7- Wednesday 3rd June
Morning Shopping /Free and Easy
1 pm Transfer to Airport
6 pm (Tentative)
Flight back to KL/Penang.
End of Trip.
This itinerary is an outline only. The actual schedule may vary to suit the local situation.
This trip is being organised for members and families of those affected by the Railway Project at a nominal cost.
Non-members can sign up en route.
For further inquiries contact:
