Khun Tan Tunnel

The Khun Tan Tunnel, a remarkable achievement of human dedication and engineering prowess, was overseen by German engineer Emil Heisen Hofer. This masterpiece is considered a historic railway route in Northern Thailand, overcoming the rugged terrain and the dangers of the era, from malaria to the dangers of tigers! After 11 years of construction, from 1907 to 1918, spanning approximately 1.3 kilometers, the Khun Tan Tunnel has held the title of the longest railway tunnel in the country for over a hundred years, up until today (as of 2021). However, in terms of its memorable history and its potential as a tourist destination, the Khun Tan Tunnel remains a standout, connecting to Doi Khun Tan National Park, contributing to its unique character. It is a natural park accessible by train from Bangkok via Lampang Province. The tunnel passes through a 1.3-kilometer-long tunnel beneath the mountain to its final destination at Khun Tan Station in Lamphun Province, the highest railway station in Thailand. The excavation of the Khun Tan Tunnel in 1913 used a method of drilling into the mountain simultaneously on both sides, similar to the shorter tunnels previously drilled. Construction of this northern railway line faced numerous obstacles and problems. The workers had no prior experience in railway construction, had never seen a tunnel, and had never even used dynamite to blast through a mountain. Furthermore, equipment was insufficient, such as an air compressor. Mr. E. Heisenhofer had to invent his own ventilation system. During the construction of the Lampang-Chiang Mai section, World War I broke out, preventing the import of steel bridges from Germany. Mr. E. Heisenhofer used hardwood instead. For the high bridge near the tunnel, Mr. E. Heisenhofer laid tracks along the mountain and elevated the tracks to facilitate the passage into the tunnel. This also prevented workers from working in the deep tunnel, both day and night, from lighting. The work involved using a type of lantern called a "duck lantern," which resembles a two-month-old adult duck. However, the duck lacks a head and legs, with a hole in its neck for a lantern. On its back, there's a loop for hanging a wire or rope. Its belly contains fuel: kerosene mixed with coconut oil. #thailand #cafelife #waitingfortravel