A famous railway station in Thailand emerged again on the surface after 40 years under water
According to the Daily Mail, Nithe station was a key point of refueling in the ‘Ironway’of Death“, who connected Thailand with Myanmar. He remained hidden for decades, until a tank was drained earlier this year, in order to carry out maintenance work at a nearby dam.
Why did he get that name and how it was built?The railway line about 413 km long, which was the theme of the 1957 film "The Kwai River Bridge", acquired this name because of the tens of thousands of workers and prisoners who died during its construction.
Made during World War II between October 1942 and October 1943 and connected Nong Pladuk in western Thailand to Thanbuzayat in southeastern Myanmar. It formerly had more than 60 stops or stations. The construction of the railway line involved about 60,000 Allied prisoners of war from the United Kingdom, the US and CanadaAs well as hundreds of thousands of workers from all over Asia.
Today, the line operates only within Thailand, between Nong Pladuk and Nam Tok, and has been converted into tourist attraction.
Why the railway station was now revealedThe ruins of Nithe station began appearing in April, when Thailand's electricity generation authority drained the water. Photos published by the newspaper "The Nation" (a Thai media) capture parts of the railway lines, as well as some of the structural ruins once used to operate and maintain the network.
This is one. rare element of the original surviving railwayAs most stations have been renovated or demolished over the years. The unexpected appearance of Nithe station has attracted tourists and researchers from around the world.
Speaking to the Associated Press Martyn Fryer, an Australian researcher, whose grandfather died while working on the railroad in 1942, said that he had tried to visit Nithe station in the past but without success. "I've been to Nithe station three times before, but the water level has always been too high to really appreciate the fantastic elements it offers, with the remaining infrastructure and layout of the railway itself".
The drought period in Southeast Asia often reveals parts of the station. However, water levels reached a new low this year and were drained so quickly that vegetation has not yet been reborn, making Nithe easier to study.