Resurfaced WWII Railway Station Offers Rare Heritage Research Opportunity

Thailand, June 2026 — Nithe Station, a former depot on the historic Thailand–Myanmar "Death Railway," has resurfaced after decades beneath the Vajiralongkorn Dam reservoir. The reservoir was temporarily drained for maintenance, exposing the station's remains and allowing historians and researchers to examine infrastructure that has been inaccessible for more than 40 years.

Nithe was a major station along the 415-kilometre railway constructed by the Japanese during World War II to connect Thailand, then Siam, with Burma, now Myanmar. The railway was built between 1942 and 1943 using the forced labour of approximately 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and hundreds of thousands of Asian labourers. More than 87,000 people are estimated to have died during its construction, giving rise to its enduring name, the "Death Railway."

Researchers are surveying the exposed site to document surviving infrastructure, recover artefacts and compare wartime aerial photographs with existing remains to better understand the station's original layout. The opportunity is expected to be short-lived, as the reservoir will begin refilling once dam maintenance is completed and the seasonal rains return later this year.

The rediscovery highlights the importance of preserving railway heritage as part of the industry's historical record. Beyond its engineering significance, the site serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost associated with wartime railway construction and reinforces the value of documenting historic rail infrastructure before it is once again submerged.

Source: The Star