If you seen the great 1957 Oscar winning movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai” come with MHT & our partner from downunder, MAT McLACHLAN BATTLEFIELD TOURS to discover the real history of the Burma-Thailand ‘Death’ railway & follow the events that unfurled in Thailand during WWII on this special five-day tour, which includes the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass.
The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by British Commonwealth, Dutch & American Prisoners Of War (POWs), was a Imperial Japanese project driven by the need for improved logistics & communications to support the large Japanese army fighting in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 POWs died and were buried along the railways path. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians also died in the course of the construction, chiefly forced labour brought from Malaya & the Dutch East Indies, or conscripted in Siam (Thailand) & Burma. Two labour forces, one based in Siam & the other in Burma, worked from opposite ends of the line towards the centre.
Tour Leader: Col Joe Mueller, USMC(Ret)
Hellfire Pass was the deepest and longest cutting along the entire length of 258-miles Burma-Thailand ‘Death’ railway, which was built by Allied Prisoners of War. Over time, Hellfire Pass came to symbolize the suffering of Australian-British-American POWs during WWII. Over 30,000 Australian service people became prisoners of the Imperial Japanese during the Pacific War, with around half put to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Hellfire Pass is located in Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand, and this area has many notable historical sites relating to this time which we visit on this very special tour.
The highly experienced, veteran battlefield guides of Military Historical Tours have worked with MAT McLACHLAN BATTLEFIELD TOURS as we have an outstanding working relationship from both Turkey & Vietnam. Touring with the Aussies & Kiwis make the tour even better. And now the best part . . . at only $1,499 per person, this tour is an outstanding value, making it not only affordable for you to travel, but also to bring other family members. You can invite your friends to come along, too. Together we will visit the WWII sites. The price includes everything you see in the itinerary except your airfare, drinks and souvenirs. The single supplement is only $325. We believe this will be a great fun & informative tour. Discuss this expedition with our Battlefield Specialists at 703-590-1295,M-F 10AM-4PM or e-mail us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tour Prices:
Full Tour: $ 1,499
Prices Based On Double Occupancy (BODO)
Single Supplement: $ 325
Tour Price Includes:
★ Services of our expert WW2 Historian
★ All excursions, scenic drives and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
★ Special Anzac Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass and visits to the Australian POW camp locations and War Cemeteries
★ 4 nights’ 3-star to 4-star accommodation
★ Travel by comfortable air-conditioned coach
★ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
★ All entrance fees as per the itinerary
★ Welcome dinner in Bangkok
Daily Itinerary
Day 1) Depart USA for Bangkok, Thailand. East Coast Monday 20 Apr/West Coast Tuesday 21 Apr Cross International Dateline.
(Day 2) Wednesday, 22 April—Arrive Bangkok.
Welcome to the Hellfire Pass tour. After checking in to our Bangkok hotel, we will come together this evening to enjoy a welcome aboard dinner. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers & Tour Historian. (Dinner—D) OVERNIGHT: Centrally located Bangkok Hotel
(Day 3) Thursday, 23 April—Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
This morning at approximately 9AM you will be met in the lobby of your Bangkok hotel by the Tour Historian & depart Bangkok for the 3-hour drive to Kanchanaburi. On the way, visit Ban Pong & the nearby POW camp to learn where all Thailand Prisoners of War (POWs) were sent by the Imperial Japanese Army by train prior to being sent to their intended area of railway construction. Continue following their route to Kanchanaburi & on arrival, visit the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre which is an interactive museum, information & research facility dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand–Burma (Death) Railway. Receive an introductory talk on the railway by Researchers of the Centre before spending time exploring the museum for a background understanding of the history of what lies ahead in the coming days. Continue to your hotel for check-in and enjoy the remainder of your evening at your leisure. (Breakfast—B, Lunch—L OVERNIGHT: Royal River Kwai Resort
(Day 3) Friday, 24 April—Kanchanaburi to River Kwai
We will meet at 8:30AM to begin our exploration of the railway & its workings, with a focus on camp locations locally & up country on the southern area of the railway.
We start the day in the local area, covering locations of the Kanchanaburi Aerodrome Camp, F & H (Hospital) Camp & the nearby Chungkai Camp – where we explore the work area of the men in this camp, consisting of large embankments, bridges & cuttings. We then take a long-tail boat on the Kwai river back to the “famous” Bridge on the River Kwai & learn the finer details of the Tha Makham Camp that supplied the forced labor for the bridge. You will have the opportunity to walk the bridge.
In the afternoon, we proceed up country following the route of the railway via several POW camp locations & continue up to Wang Pho viaduct. After exploring this quite remarkable area we continue on to location of Tha Sao for an understanding of the layout & configuration of this large POW camp which was Base Camp for Group 4 before it became a hospital camp.
After checking in to the Home Phutoey River Kwai Resort, we have the opportunity to explore the Weary Dunlop Memorial and (POW Artist) Jack Chalker Gallery, which are at our resort. We will enjoy an early dinner together at our resort ahead of an early start for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass tomorrow. (B, L, D) OVERNIGHT: Home Phutoey River Kwai Resort
(Day 4) Saturday, 25 April—Anzac Day
We will depart at 3:30AM to travel to nearby Hellfire Pass for the Dawn Service that starts near the “Cutting” at 5:30AM. There is the opportunity to join the “gunfire breakfast” after the Service, and to visit the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre or explore the walking trail.
We then return to Kanchanaburi & the Thai-Burma Railway Centre Death Railway Museum in readiness for attending the local ANZAC Service in the adjacent War Cemetery from 10:30AM.
Following the very early start to the day, we return to Royal River Kwai Resort for a relaxing afternoon with the balance of the day and evening as you wish. (B, L) OVERNIGHT: Royal River Kwai Resort
(Day 5) Sunday, 26 April—Return to Bangkok
After breakfast, check out for departure at 9:00AM to return to the Bangkok hotel. (B)
The journey may be over, but the memories will last a lifetime.
If you would like to extend your tour with a post tour to see the sites in Bangkok, we can arrange that for all paxs that desire this excursion.
Thailand "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (21 - 27 Apr 2026)
- Product Code: 2604-PAC-KWAI
- Availability: In Stock
-
$1,499.00