Kanchanaburi and the Bridge over the River Kwai

On our way back to Bangkok from the islands we stopped for a night in Kanchanaburi. It was a relatively easy detour recommended by seat61.com, by far the best resource for train travel in Asia. Kanchanaburi is the home of the famous “Bridge over the river Kwai” and as such has several war memorials and museums.

War memorial to POWs that died.

While I was interested in the town for the historical attractions, we found that we actually really liked the town of Kanchanaburi on its own. It has nothing fancy, but lots of backpackers and bars to quench their thirst. Charming in a travely sort of way.  There is also a beautiful waterwall that unfortunately we didn’t have time to see.

But the biggest attraction in town is the railway that goes over the (in)famous bridge, as well as through a steep pass called “Hellfire Pass.” When the Japanese conquered both Thailand and Myanmar during World War II, they decided they needed a railroad connection between the two in order to supply Japanese troops in Myanmar. Despite very rough terrain, they forced British and Australian POWs (along with local laborers) to build the route. It was an aspect to the war I had heard little about, but which is big in Australian military history. Much of the museum exhibits were Australian, and all very well done at showing the horrendous conditions the POWs lived and worked in.

A few remnants of the track that the POWs built remain.

This pass through the mountains was carved by the POWs with very limited machinery. Because the Japanese forced them to work well into the night under the glare of fire, it was nicknamed “Hellfire Pass”

Memorials to fallen POWs were everywhere

There wasn’t all that much to do, and the museum interesting but not a must-see, but both Jami and I wished we had more time here. But we were headed back to Bangkok to enjoy the city for a few more days before heading north.