In my youth, I was addicted to Hollywood adventure films. One of the movies which had fascinated me, was ‘Bridge over the River Kwai.’ After I had visited the 'Death Railway’ war cemetery in Kanchanaburi Thailand, I wanted to see what was left of this infamous railway. Burma was closed to tourism so the only way in, was with one of the rebel groups fighting the central government. This is what I saw when I crossed with the ‘Democratic Burmese (rebel) Army’ from Thailand into Burma. (Myanmar)
General Bo Yan Naing, one of Burma's 'Thirty Comrades'. In charge of the Southern Command, of former Prime Minister U Nu rebel army: the pro-US Democratic Army of Burma.
General Bo Yan Naign with one of the many students from Rangoon who'd escaped the Ne Win regime (The Burmese Way to Socialism) and had applied for asylum in the US.
Following the tracks of the Burmese 'Death Railway'.
The pro U NU Democratic Burmese (rebel) Army.
Crossing a river on a bamboo float
Soldiers crossing a river during a military operation.
1967 Burma. Karen girl smoking cheroot.
Two boys with traditional Karen haircuts.
Most of the bridges had been blown up by the end of WW2.
Smugglers: From Burma to Thailand.
Pro U NU Democratic Burmese (rebel) Army.
Women and children taking cover while a soldier advances.
A group of soldiers waiting for the result of their target practice.
Many women, children and old people, the young men all seemed to carry weapons.
And everybody was smoking cheroots.
At one point I was turned over to the care of Karen State army.
All the different nationalities: the Karen, the Shan, the Kachin, etc. in Burma wanted independence.
A woman spreading weaved coconut palm leaves for roofing, to dry.
Two young Karen girls with traditional her hair styles.
A cheroot stall.
Karen State Army soldiers
Following the railway tracks
Following the rail way tracks
Two armed Karen state soldiers.
Oxen cart transport between villages.
Railway tracks, not likely to be ever used.
Armed Karen soldiers asking information regarding government troops in the area.
Traveling show from village to village. Village entertainment.
What is left of the Mauchang bridge, Burma
The Mauchang bridge, full of bullet holes and shrapnel marks..
We went for a swim. All that history.
Two armed Karen soldiers standing on a bullet and shrapnel damaged WW2 railroad bridge.