Burma to rebuild part of Death Railway

[John Ashworth]

Burma's Death Railway to reopen

Wanderlust 29th May 2012

Part of the infamous Death Railway, originally built by Japanese POWs in World War II, is set to be rebuilt

Plans are afoot to reopen a stretch of Burma's Death Railway. The infamous line, which runs from Thailand to Burma, was built by Japanese-held prisoners of war during World War II and runs through dense jungle and mountains.

Covering some 263 miles, the railway was completed in 1943 in order to transport supplies into Burma, but it had a short life. The line was bombed in 1945 destroying the legacy of thousands of enslaved prisoners whose lives and horrendous working conditions were immortalised in the film, The Bridge on the River Kwai.

As many as 100,000 Asian civilians and more than 13,000 POWs died during the building of the bridge. Rebuilding it would allow people to honour their lives and hard work, as well as see the beautiful surroundings in which they were forced to work. Burma's recent political reforms have seen visitors flocking to the country and the reopened bridge would provide a much needed economic boost to an impoverished area.

Following a feasibility study in October, Railway Minister Aung Min said: “we will do a survey and try to start working after the rainy season with the help of the international community.”

As relations with their neighbouring countries improve under President Thein Sein, Burma's Death Railway could provide crucial trade and tourist links with Thailand after decades of isolation.

Burma to rebuild part of Death Railway

Tuesday, 29 May 2012: Myanmar
Rebecca Burns
etravel.org

Plans are underway to rebuild and reopen a section of Burma's notorious Death Railway, which was built by Japanese POWs in World War II.

Weaving its way 263 miles from Thailand to Burma through thick jungle and mountain landscapes, the railway was intended to transport supplies into Burma. With atrocious working conditions, many of the Asian civilians and POWs who worked on the railway died as a result. The project was completed in 1943 – but was bombed just two years later.

Now there are plans to rebuild part of the railway to boost tourism, honouring the lives of those who died on the railway, and allowing visitors to see some of Burma's most spectacular rural scenery.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

That would be an interesting project. Could use Japanese convicts to build it!