The Bridge Over the River Khwae

The infamous Bridge over the Khwae has been popularized by books and screenplays but is of little interest in itself. Spanning the Khwae Yai River, about 3 km north of Kanchanaburi town center, the iron bridge is part of the 'Death Railway', built by the Japanese during World War II as a supply route linking Thailand and Burma.

Allied prisoners of war and Asian slave laborers built the railway through dense mosquito-infested forests and mountainous terrain. An estimated 16,000 prisoners of war and 100,000 Asian coolies perished as a result of brutal treatment, starvation, disease and exhaustion during the 16 months it took to complete the 415-km railway. Allied bombs destroyed the original bridge in 1945.

The black iron structure that stands today was built after the war and is still in use. A small train museum in front of the bridge has some of the original war-time engines on display.

In the first week of December, Kanchanaburi holds a night-time light and sound show to celebrate the final bombing and destruction of the bridge. The spectacular pyrotechnic show attracts thousands of tourists for the week, and it may be difficult finding a place to stay. The Bridge over the Khwae is easily reached by songthaew from the town center or by train from Kanchanaburi station.

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