The River Kwai Bridge was made famous by the 1960 movie about a bamboo bridge, built by British soldiers in Burma during the Second World War. This film was especially fiction, is a bridge made of concrete / steel construction, and it is actually in Thailand. Thailand Tourism Authority provides a great service of train trips. These are low-cost travel, you also begin this space on day trips to long weekends at various scenic parts of Thailand. Most journeysand end in the Hua Laphong station, the main railway hub for passengers for the whole country. Images from this station are shown above. The station is clean and organized, but beware, it is also very busy. As a side note: Thailand is continuing its rail and bus system as their main artery of people and products moving within its borders.
The tour, which I had to choose another day that I was almost on the Thai border with Myanmar, which ends in the Soiyak Waterfalls but make a stop inPhra Pathom Chedi, the bridge over the Rive Kwai, the "Death Railway", and the Kanchanabury WWII cemetery. I will describe each of these stations in detail. The trip was a full day from 7 clock and not recovered in Hua Laphong station until after dark, around 7 clock. The train was un-air-conditioned, but was comfortable, at least while we were moving.
Phra Pathom Chedi
Our first stop was called the Temple Phra Pathom Chedi, the temple main feature was a large pagoda (seethe pictures below. The stop was just long enough to walk from the station to the temple, without too much haste. To the temple, we go through a city market, where you can get everything from a quick snack and a glass of iced coffee.
Bridge over the River Kwai and the "Death Railway
The bridge was made famous by a 1960 movie with the same name. The film, in fiction, but in fact loosely on the events surrounding the bridge. I will not go into details ofThe differences between the film and this bridge, but leave that to you. In short, it is the bridge in Thailand, Burma, but many people (mainly British soldiers) do not give their lives building this bridge for the Japanese in WWII. Therefore, this pathway is known as the "Death Railway" in Thailand. The route runs from the River Kwai Bridge to Soiyak Waterfalls seem treacherous, but is well maintained and safe for travel. The railway followsthe river and often has steep cliffs above the river and is very picturesque. However, these conditions lead to many deaths in World War II.
WWII Kanchanaburi Cemetery
In World War II cemetery in Kanchanaburi is filled with the corpses of people who gave their lives, the construction of the Kwai bridge for the Japanese army. This attack is quite sobering to know these people let their lives building the railway line was that we were just on.
Soiyak Waterfalls
The SoiyakWaterfall is the last stop of the trip, and it is very refreshing. The waterfall is to be reinforced in areas with concrete and a geologist could tell right away that it is not natural. Have taken the hard-working Thai people, and natural water supplies and has made a tourist stop. The environment is a natural area and from development, and that is well protected. There are hiking trails lead to waterfalls source, a small stream filled with small fish and is ice cold. Also along theWay is to explore some caves. The Thai people find these areas sacred as the presence of the holy images in the caves are occupied. The road is very interesting to watch with many native plants and animals on the road.
At the very end of the runway sits a historic train, once used by the Japanese during the construction of the railway. Plaque in memory of the train and the people who died in their development, the journey is a very important meaning for me.
We returnedHua Laphong the station quite late and I was pretty tired but the trip was worth it, and I want to get this trip for anyone interested in anything to recommend about historic Thailand.
