Bridge on the River Kwai
- Address:Kanchanaburi
- Hours:Open daily
- Admission:Free
Nature & Wildlife, Off-the-Beaten Path, Bridge, Monument - Modern, Ruin - Modern
3:09 AM Friday, May 25
Light rain. Mostly cloudy. Warm.
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Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province is home to the famous Bridge on the River Kwai and the beginning of the Death Railway, both poignant reminders of the thousands of POW's and forced laborers who lost their lives in WWII.
Made famous by the 1957 David Lean movie of the same name, the building of the bridge in 1943 was one part of a huge Japanese wartime project to link Thai and Burmese railway lines and create a direct route from Bangkok.
Due to illness, starvation and neglect, thousands of people lost their lives building the bridge and railway – you can visit the graves of nearly 7,000 POWs at the nearby Kanchanaburi war cemetery. Parts of the original bridge are now displayed in the War Museum here. You can walk along the restored railway bridge on foot or take a train specifically for tourists.
Latest Reviews All Bridge on the River Kwai Reviews »
Excellent tour guide, Yai, made this a memorable day. Walking across the bridge one felt the pain on the POWs and Thai labourers. The long tail boat ride up the river to the bridge was fun and provided a much welcome breeze to relief the heat (41c). Our train ride on a local train was an enjoyable experience. Lunch was tasty and there was a good variety to suit everyone. A must see tour when visiting Thailand.
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Excellent tour, the guide Nicko very informative and knowledgable and looked after us at every turn. Very moving to travel where the POW's and Thai and other workers slaved to build the railway. "Forgive but not forget"
Continue Reading »The Bridge on the River Kwai is in Kanchanaburi about 130 km (80 mi) west of Bangkok. You can arrange a tour here or travel independently by train from Bangkok Noi Railway Station.
