| The Kwai River Bridge was made famous by the | | | | differences between the film and this bridge but |
| 1960s movie about a bamboo bridge being built by | | | | will let that up to you. Briefly, the bridge is located |
| British Soldiers in Burma during World War II. This | | | | in Thailand, not Burma but many people (mostly |
| movie was mostly fiction, the bridge is of | | | | British soldiers) did give their lives building this |
| concrete/metal construction and it is actually | | | | bridge for the Japanese during World War II. This |
| located in Thailand. Thailand Tourism authority | | | | is why this railway is known as the "Death |
| offers a great service of train tours. These are | | | | Railway" in Thailand. The rail line leading from the |
| low cost trips that you can take that range from | | | | Kwai River Bridge to the Soiyak Water Falls |
| day trips to long weekends to various scenic | | | | appears treacherous but is well maintained and |
| parts of Thailand. Most of the trips begin and end | | | | safe for travel. The railway follows the river and |
| in the Hua Laphong Rail Station, the main rail hub | | | | often has sheer cliffs overlooking the river and |
| for passengers for the entire country. Pictures of | | | | can be quite scenic. However, these conditions |
| this station are shown above. The station is clean | | | | lead to many deaths during WWII. |
| and organized, but beware, it is also VERY busy. | | | | Kanchanaburi WWII Cemetery |
| As a side note: Thailand uses their rail and bus | | | | The WWII Cemetery in Kanchanaburi is filled with |
| system as their major artery moving people and | | | | the bodies of the people who gave their lives |
| products throughout their borders. | | | | constructing the Kwai Bridge for the Japanese |
| The tour that I choose was a day trip that took | | | | Army. This stop is quite sobering knowing these |
| me almost to the Thai border with Myanmar, | | | | men gave their lives building the rail line that was |
| ending in the Soiyak Water Falls but making stops | | | | we were just on. |
| in Phra Pathom Chedi, Bridge over the Rive Kwai, | | | | Soiyak Water Falls |
| the "Death Railway", and the Kanchanabury WWII | | | | The Soiyak Water Fall is the final stop of this trip |
| Cemetery. I will describe each of these stops in | | | | and it is quite refreshing. The waterfall is |
| detail below. The trip was a full day, starting at 7 | | | | augmented in areas with concrete and being an |
| am and not returning to Hua Laphong Station until | | | | geologist is could tell immediately that it wasn't |
| after dark, around 7 pm. The train was | | | | natural. The industrious Thai People have taken |
| un-air-conditioned but was comfortable, at least | | | | and natural water supply and made is a tourist |
| while we were moving. | | | | stop. The surrounding area is a natural area and |
| Phra Pathom Chedi | | | | protected from development, which is good. |
| Our first stop was at the temple called Phra | | | | There are hiking trails leading to the water falls |
| Pathom Chedi , The Temple main feature was a | | | | source; a small stream filled with small fish and is |
| huge pagoda (see the pictures below. The stop | | | | icy cold. Also along the trail is a few caves to |
| was just long enough to walk from the train | | | | explore. The Thai People find these areas sacred, |
| station to the Temple without too much rush. To | | | | as evidenced by the presence of sacred images |
| get to the temple we walk through a city market | | | | located in the caves. The trail are quite interesting, |
| area where you can get anything from a quick | | | | having many native plants and animals to observe |
| snack to a glass of ice coffee. | | | | along the way. |
| Bridge over the River Kwai and the "Death | | | | At the very end of the Railway sits an historic |
| Railway | | | | train, once used by the Japanese during the |
| The Bridge was made famous by a 1960's film of | | | | construction of the railway. The plaque |
| the same name. The film, however was in fact | | | | commemorating the train and the people who |
| fiction based loosely on the events surrounding | | | | died in its construction gave the trip some |
| this bridge. I will not go into detail of the | | | | meaning for me. |