The Death Railway in Kanchanaburi, Thailand is attracting tourists from around the world with its beauty and dark history. 

Originally built during World War 2 by Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers under Japanese forces, the railway is often called the “Death Railway” due to the thousands of lives lost during its construction.

The railway stretches from Bangkok to Nam Tok and passes through forests, mountains and river valleys. 

An important part of the journey is the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, made widely known by the 1957 film. 

Paul Fournier, a travel expert and the founder of Journey Compass, told the Express that Kanchanaburi is known for its dark past but has much to offer beyond the railway.

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“Walking across the Bridge on the River Kwai, it’s impossible not to think about the lives lost during its construction,” he said. 

“But Kanchanaburi is more than its tragic past. Nearby waterfalls and floating restaurants along the river offer a strange but beautiful contrast.”

The railway was initially built by forced labour to aid Japanese military efforts in Southeast Asia. 

An estimated 60,000 Allied POWs, along with 100,000 civilians, worked on the railway under extreme conditions. 

Many lost their lives due to disease, starvation and exhaustion. Today, around 80 miles of track remain, all within Thailand.

The journey from Kanchanaburi includes a stop at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which holds the graves of thousands who died working on the railway. 

Standing in the quiet cemetery, with rows of plaques marking each grave, visitors often find it a powerful reminder of the railway’s heavy cost.

Another memorable stop is Tham Krasae, where the train passes over a wooden viaduct built along the edge of a cliff with a stunning view of the river.

The train journey from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok takes about two hours, running thrice daily.

Tickets cost around 100 Thai baht (£2) for foreign visitors. At Nam Tok, tourists can visit the nearby Erawan National Park, known for its seven-tier waterfalls, or take another train back to Bangkok.