Wreath laying during Remembrance Day in Kanchanaburi
Photo: Dutch embassy in Bangkok
Message from the Dutch embassy in Bangkok:
Yesterday, August 15, 2020, the honorary cemeteries in Kanchanaburi commemorated the end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and all victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies were commemorated.
The two war cemeteries of Kanchanaburi contain the burials of Dutch prisoners of war who died during the construction of the infamous Burma railway line. The ceremony in this special commemorative year was prepared in good cooperation with the British Embassy and the British Legion.
In his speech, ambassador Kees Rade reflected on the great personal suffering that the war had caused in this part of the world. And that the way in which the worst in people emerged during the Second World War should not become a closed book through the passage of time. The freedom won during the war must be passed on so that future generations can also live in freedom. The United Nations was established immediately after the war by the international community for that purpose. The UN, and the rights and freedoms it aims to protect, are as relevant today as they were then.
Photo: Dutch embassy in Bangkok
After the taptoe signal from the buglers of the Royal Thai Army, two minutes of silence were observed and the Wilhelmus was played.
Wreaths were then laid on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Wreaths were then laid by or on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the Vice Governor of Kanchanaburi, the embassies of allied countries, the Dutch Association in Thailand, the NTCC, Stichting Thailand Zakelijk, the Royal British Legion Thailand, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 15 August 1945 National Remembrance Foundation, Burma-Siam Railway and Pakan Baroe Railway Commemoration Foundation, Thailand-Burma Railway Center and next of kin
The embassy would like to thank Captain-Lieutenant ter Zee bd Jaap van der Meulen, the Dutch Associations in Thailand, the NTCC and the Thailand Business Foundation for their active contribution to the organisation.
Postscript Editor: Richard Barrow, the well-known English blogger, was also present at the commemoration and took a long series of beautiful photos, which you can view on his Facebook page.
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Was a very beautiful and impressive commemoration this year, with a very beautiful and striking speech by the Dutch Ambassador. We were thanked for this afterwards by English attendees (veterans). They also found his speech very special and very apt.
I have been to this cemetery several times because my uncle, a brother of my father, is buried there.
I was able to show my father some pictures.
It was a strange feeling for me to read your name on a bronze plaque with the date of birth and date of death.
It made quite an impression on me and was extremely surprised how nice and neatly everything was maintained.
When I first came there I asked in the office there where my uncle's grave was and I was given the row and grave number, I wanted to give the friendly lady a tip, but was absolutely refused to accept.
It is and remains impressive to be there and to see it. I have been there several times and the other sites such as the Hellfire pass etc. are also worth a visit. My wife is from that area and we go there often. It always gives me a double feeling to be there. To be confronted with the suffering that humanity has inflicted on each other. Fortunately, you never get used to it and the way in which the authorities and other organizations in Thailand deal with it is also good to see. Respectfully and always neatly maintained things and the commemorations. The museums, the monuments always in good condition. The striking thing is the great contrast that can be observed. The nature that does its best to amaze us and the past and the suffering that has been caused there. Life in a nutshell, good and evil, as it always goes.