Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum & Walking Trail, Thailand
Installation of the new walkway
The Australian Government through OAWG and in partnership with the Thai Armed Force Development Command is currently undertaking maintenance and construction work on the Hellfire Pass Memorial site including the installation of a new walkway to the Pass.
The OAWG apologises for any inconvenience caused by the ongoing construction work, which will include periods when the observation deck is closed, the walking track below the Museum building is closed and noise due to construction activity may be intrusive.
It is requested that during this time visitors keep away from construction site activity and that children are closely supervised.
The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum is dedicated to those Australians and other Allied Prisoners of War and Asian labourers who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region during WW2.
During the Second World War, thousands of forced local labourers and Allied Prisoners of War suffered and died constructing and maintaining the Burma-Thailand railway. The Australian Government constructed the interpretative memorial in cooperation with the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The memorial, dedicated in 1998, was designed and constructed by Hewitt Pender Associates Pty Ltd, Australia and Woods Baggot Limited, Thailand.
 Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum entrance |
 Model depicting the surrounding area at Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum |
The museum explains to visitors the story of why and how the railway was built and attempts to convey the hardships and suffering endured by so many who were forced to work in extremely harsh conditions. The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum symbolises the importance of this site to the Australian people. After visiting the memorial museum and contemplation deck, visitors are encouraged to proceed to the walking trail.
 Peace Vessel Peter Rushforth |
 Hellfire Pass Railway Cutting (Konyu Cutting) lit by natural Bamboo candles, Anzac Day Dawn Service 2005 |
In August 2004, the Office of Australian War Graves contracted Hewitt Pender Associates Pty Ltd to undertake a major upgrade of the memorial. The work completed in April 2005 included updating the internal areas of the museum to provide more detailed information on the significance of Hellfire Pass. In addition, Thai text was added to all graphic displays and signage throughout the memorial and the audio visual equipment was upgraded to provide improved quality in multiple languages.
As part of the new interactive environment an audio guide tour service has been made available for visitors to the memorial. The guide has been produced in multiple languages and gives visitors the opportunity to tour the site independently while listening to the history of Hellfire Pass.
DVA is planning to install a walkway which will lead from the visitor centre to the cutting, it is hoped that this will provide better and safer access for visitors. DVA hopes to install this walkway in 2008, in partnership with the Thai government.
Tom Morris
The preservation and development of this historic site has resulted from the inspiration of Australian former Prisoner of War, Mr J G “Tom” Morris.
Mr Morris was among the thousands of Prisoners of War and Asian labourers who worked on the Burma-Thailand railway during World War II. After enlisting aged 17 in 1941 Mr Morris served as a Corporal with 22 Brigade Headquarters before being captured in the fall of Singapore in 1942. Sent to Burma as part of ‘A’ Force, Mr Morris worked on the Burma-Thailand railway from the Thanbyuzayat end. In 1983, forty years after working on the railway, Mr Morris made a decision to return to Thailand in an attempt to locate the site of Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass). Mr Morris was not only successful in his endeavour to locate Hellfire Pass, by then almost consumed by the surrounding jungle, he was also inspired with the idea of preserving this significant site in memory of all those who suffered and died while constructing the Burma-Thailand railway. Mr Morris then approached the Australian Government regarding the possibility of having Hellfire Pass dedicated as an historic site.
In 1985, following Mr Morris’ proposal, the Australian Government allocated funding for improved access to Hellfire Pass and the construction of a memorial. The memorial was formally dedicated in 1987. Further funding was allocated in 1994 for the construction of the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and walking trail. The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum was officially opened on 25 April 1998 and now receives over 70,000 visitors each year.
Walking trail
The walking trail follows the alignment of the original Burma-Thailand railway from Hellfire Pass to beyond Compressor Cutting. Small shelters and interpretative panels have been provided at various locations and toilets are available at the Hintok Road stop.
If you are planning on talking the walk, be sure to wear strong shoes or boots and protective clothing and take drinking water. Only the fit and well-prepared should attempt this walk, please allow ample time to complete the walk before dark.
Visitor information
Museum open 9-4, 7 days
Detailed information on significance of Hellfire Pass
Interactive displays
English & Thai text & signs
Self-guided audio tours in multiple languages
Contemplation deck
Please also visit the Smart Traveller website
Site Manager
Mr William Slape on behalf of the Office of Australian War Graves.
See
See also:- The Australian Embassy, Thailand website
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commision war cemeteries: