2025 ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE
FRIDAY 25 APRIL 2025
Every year, Anzac Day in Thailand is commemorated by conducting a Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast at the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre.
03.00 AM Thai Army Base where Hellfire Pass is located will be opened to the public.
05.00 AM Guests should be in position at Hellfire Pass Memorial no later than 05.00 am
05.30 AM The Ceremony commences at 05.30 am sharp and lasts approximately 40 minutes.
VENUE
Konyu Cutting, Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre (80 km from Kanchanaburi township)
The journey from town takes approximately 50 minutes by road. Visitors should be aware that this trip is on a winding country road, with limited lighting; and vehicle accidents are not uncommon.
ACCESS
The ceremony site at Konyu Cutting is approximately a 20 minute walk from Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. This involves numerous steps and walking along the old railway bed, with a rocky and uneven surface underfoot. Suitable footwear is highly recommended.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION
Registration or tickets are not required in advanced to attend the Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass. Due to safety requirements, the number of people permitted into Konyu Cutting at any one time is limited. Once the capacity is reached, no further guests will be permitted into the cutting.
SEATING
Due to the small area, there is limited seating at the ceremony site, and organising staff are unable to reserve seating for members of the public. Seating is available on a first come first served basis and fills up extremely quickly. Once seating is full, visitors are welcome to stand for the service.
LIVE BROADCASTING
A live broadcast of the event will be displayed on a large screen with full audio, in the car park in front of the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre building. This area is close to the toilets, has undercover seating and is also the location of the Gunfire Breakfast after the ceremony. This option is recommended for elderly visitors and those with limited mobility; or those who do not wish to make the long walk to the cutting.
GOLF BUGGY SERVICE
If requested, Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre can provide golf buggies to take visitors with health limitations or mobility issues to the ceremony site.
LIVE STREAMING ONLINE
There will be a live streaming of the service available on the Australian Embassy Thailand Facebook page.
GUNFIRE BREAKFAST
On completion of the Dawn Service all guests are welcome to complimentary food and refreshments at a Gunfire Breakfast.
TRAVEL TO KANCHANABURI
Staff at Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and the Australian Embassy staff are unable to assist with personal travel arrangements or endorse any service provider.
Many commercial agencies offer travel services between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi Province has substantial accommodation options that cater for a wide range of personal requirements which can be found through internet searches.
SERVICE & OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
The service follows the same format as services conducted in Australia. For those visiting Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi for the first time, the following additional information is provided:
• Extremely hot weather conditions normally prevail in the province of Kanchanaburi during late April. Attendees should wear clothing appropriate for the occasion and the heat; jackets and ties are not required.
• Access to the old railway cutting at Hellfire Pass is difficult for people with health and mobility issues.
• Insect repellent is recommended.
• Sensible footwear is recommended as the transit to the site involves numerous steps and walking along the old railway bed, with a rocky and uneven surface underfoot.
• A small torch is recommended when walking into the site.
• Toilet facilities are limited. There are no toilets available in the cutting.
• Smoking and naked flames are not permitted at Hellfire Pass and the surrounding environs at any time.
• Mobile phones are to be switched to silent when entering Hellfire Pass and attending the service.
ANZAC DAY THAILAND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
ADVANCE BOOKING & SEAT RESERVATION
1. Do I need to book in advance to join the Dawn Service?
No. All members of the public are welcome to attend, however for safety reasons, the number of attendees allowed into Hellfire Pass is limited. Note: To ensure the safety of all visitors, once Konyu Cutting is at capacity, no additional guests will be permitted to enter Hellfire Pass.
2. Is there seating provided and can I reserve a seat in advance?
There is limited seating at the ceremony site at Hellfire Pass, which is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Organising Staff are unable to reserve seating for members of the public.
3. What time does the Interpretive Centre building open?
The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre building opens at 03.00 am.
ACCESS & VISITORS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY
4. How can I access the Hellfire Pass?
Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting), where the service is being held, is approximately 500 metre walk from the Interpretive Centre building. There is a timber stair and gravel path on the railbed leading to the cutting which will take approximately 20 minutes on foot and sensible footwear is recommended.
5. Is there a golf buggy service and do I need to book in advance?
For visitors with mobility or health issues, the Centre provides golf buggies to transit guests to the pass. Please inform sta that you require assistance. Should you wish to use the service, please proceed to the designated shuttle bus area to take you from the car park to the golf buggy service point. This buggy service is free of charge and no advance booking is required.
LOCATION & GETTING HERE
6. How can I access the Hellfire Pass?
The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is located in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi province. It is about 3.5 hours (200km) drive from Bangkok. Due to the early hours of the Dawn Service, many guests find it more convenient to spend a night before the service in Kanchanaburi township (80km) or in the Thasao area (up to 20km from the centre.)
7. If I do not have my own vehicle, how do I get to the event?
Visitors are responsible for managing their own transport to and from the service. Many hotels and tour operators in Kanchanaburi can organise a trip or taxi to attend the service. Please kindly contact your hotel for further details. Neither the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre nor the Australian Embassy provide a transfer service to or from the Dawn Service.
MEMORIAL SERVICE & WREATH LAYING
8. Is this an official Dawn Service by the Australian Government?
The Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass is the only official Anzac Day Service in Thailand, jointly hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Governments.
9. Can I bring a wreath and when can I lay it?
Members of the public are most welcome to bring flowers or wreaths on the day. Please wait for an announcement on completion of the ceremony should you wish to lay your wreaths at the obelisk of the memorial.
10. Is there a service at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetary?
The Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass is the only official Anzac Day Service in Thailand. Visitors are welcome to lay a wreath or pay their own personal tribute at Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery at their convenience.
It is recommended to regularly review Kanchanaburi social media sites for details of any local services that may take place at the cemetery.
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