Episode 59: The Building of Thailand-Burma Railroad aka "Death Railroad"

About a two-hour drive from the capital city of Bangkok is the western province of Kanchanaburi. With an etymological name translating to “The City of Gold”, Kanachanburi is exemplified by its national parks, waterfalls, and elephant sanctuaries. Following the flow of the Khwae Yai river, spectators can gaze upon farmers tending to their rice patties or marvel over the natural landscape of hills and mountains in the backdrop of the city. But behind the façade of lush forestry, lies a horrific memory of World War II; the forced construction of a railroad system that took the lives of over 100,000 individuals. References 1. “Anzac Centenar.” The Thai–Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass (2018). Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs, www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/. 2. Eldredge, Sears, “The Thailand-Burma Railway: An Overview” (2014). Book Chapters. Book 21. http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/thdabooks/21 3. Foreman, Liza. “Riding Thailand's WWII Death Railway.” (2014) The Daily Beast, www.thedailybeast.com/riding-thailands-wwii-death-railway 4. Kratoska, Paul. “The Thailand-Burma Railway, 1942-1946: Documents and Selected Writings” (2005) Routledge. 5. Kinvig, Clifford. “River Kwai Railway: The story of the Burma-Siam railroad” (2005) Conway. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pacific-atrocities-education/support