During WWII Thailand remained neutral and soon found themselves occupied by Japanese forces intent on using Thailand’s centralized location to further their control of South East Asia. In October 1942 the Japanese Military began construction on a railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat Myanmar (Burma). The train was to help transport goods from Thailand into Myanmar (Burma) to facilitate their intended expansion of the war to India. The construction of the meter-gauge railway is now known as the Death Railway due to the incredibly inhumane conditions enforced on those who were compelled to build the 415km long railroad.