Three Pagoda Pass
| Three Pagoda Pass | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The three pagodas ( chedi ) at the pass on Thai territory |
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| Compass direction | Northwest | southeast | |
| Pass height | 282 m | ||
| Myanmar | Thailand | ||
| Valley locations | Payathon to | Wang Ka | |
| Mountains | Tenasserim Mountains | ||
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| Coordinates | 15 ° 18 ′ 7 ″ N , 98 ° 23 ′ 12 ″ E | ||
The Three Pagoda Pass ( Thai : ด่าน เจดีย์ สาม องค์ , pronunciation: [ daːn ʤedi sǎːm ʔoŋ ], literally: Custom House of the Three Chedis ) is a pass through the Tenasserim Mountains and forms the border between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) a height of 282 meters. The pass connects the Thai town of Wang Ka with the Burmese town of Payathonzu .
history
For thousands of years, the pass has been an important route to Thailand. Buddhism is said to have come to Thailand from India through him in the 3rd century . During the Ayutthaya period (14th to 18th centuries), the pass was always the main gateway for the Burmese army. That is why forts were built here along the way in the 1820s. The three small pagodas after which the pass is named were most likely built as a symbol of peace.
During World War II , the Japanese built the Thailand-Burma railway over the pass. They abused thousands of Allied prisoners of war and hundreds of thousands of Asian slave laborers during construction . The railway line became world famous through the film The Bridge on the River Kwai . After the war, the line was partially dismantled. After the Second World War, the pass was held by Mon rebels for a long time . Until 1990, the headquarters of the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) was near the pass. Today the passport is controlled by the Burmese government.
Even today there is still occasional fighting on the pass. In addition to the MNLA, the Karen National Union and the Monland Restoration Army operate in the area around the pass. On the Thai side, the Border Patrol Police are responsible for security.
In recent years, the Three Pagoda Pass has become a popular destination. When the border is open, you can take a day trip to Myanmar for around seven euros (day visa).
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Terwiel (1989), p. 96
literature
- Barend Jan Terwiel : Through Travelers' Eyes: early nineteenth century Thai history . Bangkok: Editions Duang Kamol 1989. ISBN 9742104557 .