The short answer
Chungkai War Cemetery: what visitors should know first
Optional. If you have seen the town cemetery and want a quieter second look, take a 30-minute stop on the way to the bridge. Otherwise, skip it without guilt.
History and context
The story behind Chungkai War Cemetery
Chungkai was established as a cemetery in the 1950s on the site of an existing camp cemetery. The camp had a hospital that opened in November 1942 and treated 19,975 patients.
Useful facts
Chungkai War Cemetery facts at a glance
- Location
- Tha Ma Kham, about 5 km from Kanchanaburi
- Experience type
- War cemetery on a former camp site
- Known for
- A quieter, smaller alternative to the town cemetery
- Graves
- About 1,700; sources give slightly different totals
- Time or schedule
- Daylight hours; check locally
Why it matters
Why Chungkai War Cemetery is worth your time
Chungkai was Thai No. 2 Camp, one of the earliest base camps on the Burma Railway. The first prisoners arrived in October 1942 and worked on the Tamarkan bridges and the line towards Wun Lun. A hospital was built in November 1942 and treated nearly 20,000 patients before the camp and hospital closed in June 1945.
In 1946, it was decided to concentrate the dead from many scattered graveyards into three large cemeteries, and Chungkai was extended from an existing camp cemetery. The result is a smaller, quieter cemetery than the one in town, with about 1,700 graves; sources give slightly different totals.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Quiet riverbank setting
Fewer visitors than the main cemetery, with trees along the plots.
- 02
A former camp and hospital
The cemetery sits beside the Chungkai camp, which had a prisoner hospital.
- 03
Easy pairing with the bridge
It lies on the way to the bridge area.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Chungkai is quieter than the main cemetery in town and a good choice if the crowds at the bridge have worn you out. Take a taxi or tuk-tuk from town, agree a return, and allow 30 to 45 minutes. Walk the central path, read a few headstones, and look at the plots, which sit among trees along the riverbank.
The cemetery is on land beside the old Chungkai prison camp, where a hospital once treated prisoners. Knowing this changes how you see the plots; many men here died of illness, not at the cutting face. The setting is peaceful, but do not mistake the peace for emptiness.
Combine it with a visit to the bridge, as both are on the same side of the river. You can ride out from town in the afternoon, stop here first, then continue to the bridge for sunset.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Agree a return fare with your driver
- Go early or late for shade and quiet
- Dress modestly and keep your voice low
- Do not stand on or sit by headstones
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Tha Ma Kham, about 5 km from the town centre
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The cemetery is flat and shaded in places, with short paths between plots. It is reached by road and has limited seating, so check the heat before you go.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is free. It is a CWGC-maintained site, so dress modestly and check current visiting hours locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Chungkai War Cemetery
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The cemetery is flat and shaded in places, with short paths between plots. It is reached by road and has limited seating, so check the heat before you go.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Do I need to see both cemeteries?
No. The town cemetery is easier and larger; Chungkai is quieter and adds the camp story.
Is there an entry fee?
It has been free, but check locally.
How far is it from the bridge?
Both are on the same side of the river, a short drive apart.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
