Kanchanaburi, Thailand The JEATH war museum Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Main Menu Purpose My gallery History Behind the scene Other related Benefiting from this report Interviews with foreign tourists References Thank you

Purpose 1. To promote tourism in Kanchanaburi province. 2. To promote tourism in historic places. 3. To learn about places during World War 2 more. 4. To preserve the place in history remains.

History The JEATH war museum JEATH stands for Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland, representing the nationalities of the prisoners of war (POW's) during the second world war,1942-1943(BE.2485-2486) who were forced to work on the construction of the famous "Bridge On The River Kwai". This tribute was established to show actual items that were connected with the construction of the Death Railway by POW's between 1942-1943.

The JEATH museum is an open air museum The JEATH museum is an open air museum. Its structure is a realistic reconstruction of a prisoner of war hut. It was established in 1977 by the present chief abbot of Wat chaichumpol. Venerable Phra Theppanyasuthee. This museum is now run by the temple.

(1) The first thing you will see when you arrive at the museum is the bamboo hut with a collection of photographs. This hut is very similar to those used as living quaters by POW’s while they were forced, by the Japanese Army, to construct the Death Railway linking Thailand and Burma. Actually, the hut is not an original but it has been built as a copy of an original. Here you will see how the prisoners lived while working on the railway.

(2) Secondly, we exhibit many photographs taken of real situations by Thais and prisoners of war. The Japanese did not object to photographs in the beginning although later they prohibited prisoners from taking photographs or making any kind of record because of the bad reflection on themselves. There are also many articles written by former prisoners, their relatives, their friend and writers who interviewed many of the prisoners telling of the prisoners of war.

(3) Thirdly, there are many items such as pistols, knives, helmets, water canteen etc. which were used by POW’s. Here you will also see a large bomb dropped to destroy the bridge over the River Kwai and the railway track to stop the transportation of the Japanese army between Thailand and Burma.

We call it the JEATH museum for the abbreviation of the names of six countries involved: Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland. The Japanese were the controllers as the railway project, Thailand was involved as the conquered country and the other four countries were involved as PoW’s on the actual construction of the 415 kilometer long Death Railway and the bridge over the River Kwae.

The word JEATH also replaces the word Death because it sounds too horrific. The JEATH museum is a very important part of the history of Death Railway Bridge. WHAT IS THE DEATH RAILWAY AND THE RIVER KWAE BRIDGE? The Death Railway was a strategic railway built between Thailand and Burma. It was 415 kilometers long (303 kms in Thailand and 112 kms in Burma) and passed though the three Pagoda Pass in Sangkhlaburi District, the most northern past of Kanchanaburi Province.

Construction was began on September 16,1942 at Nong Pladuk, Thailand by approximately 30,000 prisoners of war from the afore mentioned countries and more than 200,000 impressed labourers from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma and Thailand. Of these, more than 16,000 POW’s and 100,000 impressed labourers died of many diseases, due to starvation and lack of medical equipment. It is said that first survey by the Japanese engineers predicted that it would take at least five years to finish this railway line, but the Japanese army forced the prisoners to completed on 25 December 1943.

Other related Weapons used in Second World War @ The “JEATH” War Museum The museum building is a replica of the long thatched bamboo huts used to house the prisoners during the war. On display are paintings, photographs, physical memorabilia and newpaper clippings depicting various aspects of P.O.W.s life, as well as weapons, guns and bombs dating from the Second World War. The display intends to display the fright and cruelity of the war.

Paintings depicting various aspects of P.O.W.s life

Paintings depicting various aspects of P.O.W.s life

Statue of Mr. Takashi Nagase (Fujiwara)

From the statue's plaque Mr Takashi Nagase (Fujiwara) born in Okayama city, Japan, in 1918. He was a universty student before he joined the Japanese army. Later the army sent him to work on the Death Railway construction from Thailand to Burma (1941~1943) as an interpreter for the Japanese military police. After World War II finished, he was one of a grave searching party, searching for graves of POW's who passed away. Because of this, he had a change of heart about the Japanese actions. He devoted himself to society. He became ordained as a Buddist monk to dedicate merits to the departed ones. He established The River Kwae Peace Foundation that has given thousands of scholarship to the poor students in Kanchanaburi for many years.

A Comical Sketch of P.O.W.s life @ The “JEATH” War Museum

Japanese commander “… If you work hard you will be treated well but if you do not work hard you will be punished” ☻The museum is OPEN DAILY From 8:30A.M.- 4:30 P.M. The special opening will be considered for the overseas visitors at other times. Please contact the curator.

Interviews with foreign tourists 1. Mr.Yoch. He’s come from Switzerland.

2. Mr.Mark. He’s come from Scotland.

Thank you ! 1. Mr.Yoch. He’s come from Switzerland. 2. Mr.Mark. He’s come from Scotland.

My Gallery

Behind the scene

Benefiting from this report 1. We have been understanding about World War 2 more. 2. We have been impressed by many foreigners. 3. We have good experience from this report. 4. We have been good experiences from doing this report. 5. We receive many fun.

References http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=1340 http://kanchanapisek.or.th/oncc-cgi/text.cgi?no=19752 http://translate.google.co.th/?hl=th&tab=wT#en|th|

Presented by Presented to Ms.Kannika Chuarung No.24 Ms.Nareamon Nimitsuntiwong No.29 Ms.Petcharat Kumprasurt No.31 Ms.Rungratsamee Jamjaroenwanit No.32 Ms.Sineenat Srihara No.35 Class M.4/1 Presented to Mrs.Jantana Khamanukul ► Kanchananukroh School, Kanchanaburi ◄