The town's greatest historical events are much more recent, dating back to WWII. During the conflict, the Japanese occupied strategic positions across the Malay peninsula and posted garrisons in Burma. In order to transfer supplies to between the two key points a railway was constructed, which became infamous 'Death Railway' between Thailand and Burma.
Construction on the Thai side began in Ban Pong in Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi's neighbouring province, with the line built as an offshoot of an existing track. The new line was to travel through Kanchanaburi to Burma (now Myanmar) by way of the Three Pagodas Pass.