[EP 2] This place is good too...to peace and love, Tham Chelyo @ Kanchanaburi

The Cave of Captives

To Peace and Love

This cave served as a significant site during World War II, acting as a camp for Allied prisoners of war, primarily from England, Australia, and the Netherlands. It also provided refuge from bombings. Historical accounts mention a sacred pool within the cave, believed to possess healing properties for ailing prisoners.

Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Free admission.

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The World War II History Museum building displays photographs of the construction of the Death Railway. The entrance to the cave where prisoners of war were held is located on the right side of this building.

The ascent to Tham Chalay Cave is approximately 400 meters, divided into two sections. The first section is a stone staircase leading to the top of the hill, covering a distance of about 200 meters.

Along the way, there are flowers, trees, and even strange-looking mushrooms, demonstrating the forest's abundance.

The second section is a 200-meter mountaintop trail that serves as a nature study path. It is a path through a bamboo forest, providing shade and a comfortable walk, unlike the steeper first 200 meters.

At the front of the cave, there is a sign explaining the history of the Chely cave.

A staircase leads down into the cave, providing easy access.

The interior of the cave is a spacious chamber with good air circulation.

Looking out from inside the cave towards the stairs we descended, we could see light shining down into the cave.

The cave is adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

Historical Background from the Granite Plaque in Front of the Tham Chaleaw Cave

Note: The original text is in Thai and has been translated into English. The translation is intended to be simple and short, and does not include the original text.

The Cave of the Captives: A Story of Survival and Resilience

During World War II, from 1941 to 1942, Japan constructed a railway stretching over 400 kilometers from Thailand to Burma and India. This strategic move aimed to facilitate the transportation of troops and military equipment from Thailand to Europe. In the process, Japan captured Allied prisoners of war from Singapore and Malaysia, primarily British, Australian, and Dutch soldiers.

Among these prisoners was Mr. John Coast, an Australian soldier who miraculously survived the ordeal. He recounted how he and several other prisoners sought refuge in a cave to escape the relentless bombing. However, they soon fell victim to a severe case of jungle fever, rendering them incapable of returning to work.

The Japanese guards, believing them to be near death, abandoned them in the cave without food, medicine, or any means of returning to the base camp below. Left to fend for themselves, the prisoners faced a grim reality. They relied on wild honey, fruits, and stagnant water from a small rock pool within the cave for sustenance.

Remarkably, this seemingly insignificant pool held a hidden secret. Despite being repeatedly drawn from, the water level never diminished. Even more astonishingly, those who drank from it experienced a miraculous recovery from their debilitating illness.

Intrigued by this phenomenon, the Japanese guards, who were tasked with monitoring the prisoners, decided to investigate. Skeptical at first, they witnessed firsthand the healing properties of the water as other sick prisoners, including Japanese soldiers, recovered after consuming it.

This unexpected turn of events led to a change in Mr. Coast's fate. The Japanese, impressed by his resilience and resourcefulness, appointed him as the work supervisor. He became one of the few prisoners to survive the war and return home to tell the tale of the "Cave of the Captives."

This remarkable story serves as a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure hardship and find hope even in the direst of circumstances. The cave, forever etched in history as a symbol of resilience and survival, stands as a reminder of the extraordinary events that unfolded during World War II.

--- Thank you ---