Anzac Day at Hellfire Pass, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

The Hellfire Pass Memorial in Thailand is a tribute to the Allied prisoners of war and local labourers who suffered and died on the Burma-Thailand railway during the Second World War.

The 2026 Anzac Day Dawn Service will be open to the public and the details are as follows:

Advance registration

Members of the public intending to attend the Dawn service are encouraged to register (for free) in advance.

Registration assists organisers to plan ahead and helps ensure a safe, respectful and smooth experience for attendees.

Register here

Live streaming online

For those unable to attend or who wish to watch online, a live stream of the Dawn service will be available via the Australian Embassy Thailand Facebook page.

This can be accessed at: www.facebook.com/AustraliaInThailand.

Important notes

Konyu Cutting, Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre

Approximately 80 km from Kanchanaburi township.
Travel time: around 60 minutes by road.

Please note:

• The route follows a winding country road with limited lighting.
• Extra care is advised when travelling in the early morning hours.
• Once arriving at the Interpretive Centre, please allow time to walk to the Memorial, Konyu Cutting.

Access to the memorial site for the dawn service

The Dawn service site at Konyu Cutting is approximately a 20-minute walk from the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre.

The route includes numerous steps and follows the old railway bed, with a rocky and uneven surface underfoot. Suitable footwear is strongly recommended.

Seating

• Seating at the service site is strictly limited and cannot be reserved for members of the public.
• Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and fill quickly.
• Once seating is full, visitors are welcome to stand for the Service.

For safety reasons, capacity at the memorial site is limited because of its location within the Konyu Cutting.

Once capacity is reached, no further entry will be permitted into the Cutting. However, the Dawn service will be live streamed via a large screen located at the entrance the Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre building.

Live broadcasting

Due to limited seating at the service site, the Dawn service will also be live streamed on a large screen with full audio at the entrance area of the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre building.

The location of the screening area:

• is close to the toilets
• offers sheltered seating
• is where the Gunfire Breakfast will be served immediately following the service.

The broadcast (rather than walking down to the Cutting) is recommended for:

• Elderly visitors
• Visitors with limited mobility
• Anyone who does not wish to undertake the 500 metre walk to the Cutting.

Visitors with limited mobility

A golf buggy service is available on request on arrival for visitors with health or mobility limitations.

The golf buggy pick up point is co-located at a predesignated location in the public car park along with the shuttle service to the Interpretive Centre.

Gunfire breakfast

Following the Dawn service, all visitors are invited to the Gunfire Breakfast, where complimentary food and refreshments will be served.

Travel to Kanchanaburi

Both staff at the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and the Australian Embassy Staff are unable to assist with personal travel arrangements or endorse service providers.

• Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
• Many commercial operators offer travel services between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi and from within the Kanchanaburi township itself.
• A wide range of accommodation options are available within the Kanchanaburi Province which can be found through internet searches.

Dawn service and other recommendations

The Dawn service follows the same format as official Anzac Day services conducted in Australia and overseas.

Visitors are reminded that:

• Late April weather in Kanchanaburi is extremely hot with 40C + temperatures
• Clothing appropriate for the heat is strongly recommended
  • (jackets and ties are not required)
• Access to the old railway cutting at Hellfire Pass can be difficult for those with health and mobility issues
• Sensible footwear is recommended as the transit to the memorial site involves many steps and walking along the old railway bed, with a rocky and uneven surface underfoot
• Insect repellent is recommended
• A small torch is recommended when walking into the site
• There are no toilets at the Konyu Cutting. Toilet facilities are limited at the Interpretive Centre.
• Smoking and naked flames are not permitted at Hellfire Pass and the surrounding environment at any time
• Mobile phones must be switched to silent when entering Hellfire Pass and remain on silent during the service
• For further information on travelling to Thailand please refer to the latest advice from Smarttraveller.

Laying of private wreaths/tributes

Please note: Attendees wishing to present a private wreath or floral tribute at the Anzac Day Dawn Service, will have an opportunity to do so towards the end of the service.

For further information on this service, please visit the Australian Embassy in Thailand website.

DVA Email: Overseas.Memorials@dva.gov.au