58. Bridge over the River Kwai

TOUR AROUND KANCHANABURI TOWN
Today is my last day in Kanchanaburi and I was feeling very disappointed because I hadn't seen the bridge, museum or cemetery and I thought what a great pity that would be - I mean, how many people go to Kanchanaburi and don't see the famous (or rather infamous) Bridge over the River Kwai? Not many, I'll bet.
Plus, I really did want to see it and not just to tick it off on my itinerary.

I decided to ask if the driver I'd booked to take me to the money changers would be able to take me around the town and after a brief discussion with the lady at the travel agency, it was agreed I would pay 120 baht. I was happy with this, after all, it was going to cost me 50 baht just to change currency and be driven back to the guesthouse and I reckoned 120 baht was a pretty good deal. So - that was that problem settled.

Above: Bridge over the River Kwai
View of the Bridge from the Kanchanaburi side. The curved spans are 1943 originals, the two straight spans replaced ones damaged by US bombs in 1945.

The Bridge
Internationally famous, courtesy of Hollywood films and books, this black iron bridge was brought from Java by the Japanese and assembled by Allied prisoner-of-war labour as part of the Death Railway linking Thailand with Burma. Still in use today, the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during World War II and was rebuilt after war ended. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. The daily train is still following the historical route from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok Railway Station.

Above: Close-up of the bridge

Above: Monks
On the Bridge over the River Kwai seen from the Kanchanburi end. All trains call at River Kwai Bridge station, located about 200 metres before the bridge, a few minutes after leaving Kanchanaburi. The Bridge is now surrounded by cafes, restaurants, souvenir stalls etc. You can walk over the bridge, even though it's still used by three trains each way every day.

Above: Tourists
Tourists walking across the Bridge. River Kwai Bridge station is in the far background, just before the bridge.

Above: Inscription
This is inscribed on a wall near the east bank of the Bridge over the River Kwai.

Above: Views from the bridge

55. Death Railway

Namtok Railway Station to Kanchanaburi

The famous, or rather infamous Death Railway which ran for 415 kms was constructed by POW's and forced Asian labourers in WWII. The working and living conditions of those prisoners was horrific and the brutality of their captors was unmatched. At the end of the war, most of the railway was pulled up and it exists today only from Kanchanaburi to Namtok, a distance of around 50 kms.

Above: Harvesting

The views from the train are breath-taking and beautifully scenic. It is an unforgettablbe journey along the river and mountains.

Above: Tall steeple
About 25 minutes into the journey, I saw this pretty little building (a temple?) on the left-hand side.

Above: Wang Pho station
There were many passengers who alighted at this station, many of them school students.

Above: Thamkra Sae Station
The train goes past Thamkra Sae Station just before crossing the Wampo Viaduct.

Above: Wampo Viaduct
Crossing over the shaky bridge, alongside the River Kwai, or more correctly Khwae Noi, sleepers and pillars creaking, is a thrilling experience. The train slows right down and the views are spectacular. The best way to see the Viaduct is by train.

Wampo Viaduct was built in March/April 1943 and completed in "speedo" time (non-stop work). It was rebuilt and strengthened in the original design during the post war years of WWII.

Here is a real life account of building the viaduct by Leo Rawlings.

Above: The viaduct hugs the cliff
Much of the journey was spent with heads hanging out the window, hands madly trying to catch that perfect photo. At certain times however, you had to quickly pull your head back in - unless you wanted to arrive at the end of the trip headless!

Above: Man sitting on sleeper
It was quite astonishing seeing this chap sitting casually on one of the sleepers. I do hope he managed to get some good photos.

Above: Lookout Tower
This is one of the lookout towers which offer wonderful views across the river.

Above: Gardens
A little further along is this pretty garden or park.

Above: Tha Kilen Station
Although the station is small, it seems to be a popular one for people to hop on and off the train.
From Nam Tok station it is eight stops to Kanchanaburi - Koe Mahamongkol, Wang Pho, Tham Krasae, Thakilen, Baan Kao, Wang Yen, River Kwai Bridge then Kanchanaburi.

Above: Temple
I haven't been able to find out the name of this temple, but it is about 20 minutes before the train crosses over the River Kwai Bridge.

Above: Over the river

Above: Topiary
The topiary seems to have been done by a very clever artist.

Above: Kanchanaburi township
As the train approached the River Kwai Bridge, you could see lots and lots of people all out to see the train come in.

Above: Kanchanaburi Station
The journey over, I walked out through the station where the chap from my guesthouse picked me up.

Above: Death Railway map
This map shows where the train line for the Death Railway (Burma-Thailand Railway) ran.



DEATH RAILWAY, NAMTOK TO KANCHANABURI
I rode the train along the Death Railway from Namtok to Kanchanaburi Station over the Bridge on the River Kwai on 9th February, 2011. The scenery is so wonderful, it is easy to forget the horror and suffering endured by the POW's and enforced Asian labourers who built it, but the beauty of the surroundings is their legacy.