Beneath the scenic tracks of the Burma-Thailand 'Death Railway' lies one of the darkest periods of World War II. Imperial Japanese forces forced the construction of a 415-kilometer supply line through dense jungles.
Construction Difficulties and Casualties
Over 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and 200,000 Asian forced laborers participated in the construction. Despite the railway line being completed in just 13 months, it claimed the lives of over 100,000 people. Workers suffered from starvation, brutal labor, and the widespread prevalence of diseases.
Preserving the Memory of the Tragedy
Before Japan's surrender 80 years ago, many records were destroyed, leaving countless victims unidentified. Correspondent Dusita Saokaew in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, speaks with the last living witnesses and descendants who strive to preserve the memory of this human tragedy.