Tha Dan, Tardan, Bridge Repairs - Thailand

Tha Dan, 

Mycobacterium ulcerans, also known as Buruli or Bairnsdale ulcer, is caused by a bacterium thought to live in the environment. It produces a toxin damaging to the skin and underlying tissues. The infection usually begins as a painless spot or pimple which slowly grows bigger and forms an ulcer – if not treated it ‘eats’ away through the flesh to the bone. Buruli ulcer usually progresses slowly over several weeks. Occasionally it can develop more rapidly. An ulcer may not be initially present. It can occur anywhere on the body but it is most common on exposed areas of the limbs, such as ankles, back of calf, around the knee, or forearms or around the elbow.

Bridge Repairs  – Thailand (Tha Dan being the correct name)

Heading north out of Kanchanaburi there was a twisting jungle track to the river which was crossed by barge operating as a ferry.  The Japanese established a camp here so that a wooden bridge could be built across the Maekhlaung River further north near the village of Takatai.  BTRC (2022) have confirmed the majority of work forces used this route to access camps further north throughout 1942 and 1943.

The bridge was later washed away with rising monsoon waters and a POW party was despatched to repair the Tha Dan bridge (even though it did not replace the location of  barge crossing).  Once the road crosses Tha Dan Bridge over the river it heads north towards the village of Wanyai at 124.85 km point.

‘F’ Force used this track from Tamarkan during their march north.  Major Bert Saggers diary mentions the H6 Officer’s Party travelled by train in late May 1943.