Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, Thailand

Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail

The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail are dedicated to Australians, other Allied Prisoners of War (POW) and Asian labourers who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass, and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region during the Second World War.

During the Second World War, thousands of forced local labourers and Allied POW 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.

The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail symbolise the importance of this site to the Australian people. The interpretive centre explains to visitors the story the building of the railway, and attempts to convey the hardships and suffering endured by so many who were forced to work in such extremely harsh conditions.

After visiting the centre, visitors are encouraged to proceed to the memorial walking trail. The walking trail follows the alignment of the original Burma–Thailand railway from Hellfire Pass through to the Hintok Cutting. Small shelters and interpretative panels have been installed at various locations and toilets are available at the end of the walking trail. Many visitors and tour groups make use of the audio guide tour available to enhance their experience as they walk through the interpretive centre and along the trail. 

If you are planning on walking the trail, be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots and protective clothing and take drinking water. Please allow ample time to complete the walk before dark.

• The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walkway Visitor Guide (PDF 853 KB)
• The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre Audio Guide and Transcript

Tom Morris

The preservation and development of this historic site is inspired by Australian former prisoner of war, Mr J G’ ‘Tom’ Morris.

Mr Morris was among the thousands of POW and Asian labourers who worked on the Burma–Thailand railway during the Second World War. 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, 40 years after working on the railway, Mr Morris made the decision to return to Thailand to locate the site of Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass). Mr Morris was not only successful in his endeavour, by then almost consumed by the surrounding jungle, he was also inspired by the idea of preserving this significant site in memory of all those who suffered and died while constructing the Burma–Thailand railway. Mr Morris approached the Australian Government regarding the possibility of having Hellfire Pass dedicated as a 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 in April 1998.

Visitor information

For any queries, or if you are planning to visit the site, we encourage you to contact the staff at Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre.

T: +66 (0) 34 919 605, Reception mobile: +66 (0) 817 330 328 
Email:  info [at] hellfirepass.in.th (info[at]hellfirepass[dot]in[dot]th) 
Thai Hellfire Pass website

Address: 207 Moo 11 Thasao, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150 THAILAND
Opening Hours: From 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, 7 days

• Directions to Hellfire Pass (PDF 130 KB) 
  Directions to Hellfire Pass (DOCX 180 KB)

Further information on the history of the Burma–Thailand railway and Hellfire Pass can be found on the Anzac Portal

Closure dates

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to maintaining a high standard of service for our guests. The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre closes annually for a period for three weeks in May, for maintenance and refurbishment work on both interior and exterior facilities.

For safety purposes, there will be no public access to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail over the closure period. Closure dates will be advertised on the DVA website, or you can contact the Centre for more information when planning your visit.

The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is also closed on the below annual dates and will have no staff supervision. Access to Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass) may still be possible, however services will be extremely limited:

• 13-15 April — Songkran Festival
• 5 December — H.M the King's Birthday
• 24-27 December — Christmas Period
• 31 December — New Year's Eve
• 1 January — New Year's Day

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

See more

• The Australian Embassy, Thailand
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
• CWGC war cemeteries in Thailand and Myanmar:
  • Kanchanaburi
  • Chungkai
  • Thanbyzayat (Myanmar)