Bridge Over The River Kwai, A Historic Bridge with a Poignant Past

Song Khwae Road, Kanchanaburi, Kanchanaburi Province, 71000, Thailand

The scenery on the bridge is good

4.4

Introduction

The Bridge over the River Kwai is a railway bridge that is part of a 415-kilometer railway connecting Thailand and Myanmar. During World War II, it was constructed by 61,000 Allied prisoners of war and 200,000 Asian laborers under harsh conditions. The bridge was completed in 16 months, much shorter than the originally planned 6 years. The construction of the railway was marked by the brutal treatment and exploitation of the workers, combined with the harsh climate and living conditions along the railway. As a result, an estimated 16,000 prisoners of war and nearly 100,000 laborers died from diseases, fatigue, and malnutrition. This railway became known as the "Death Railway." The bridge was destroyed by Allied bombing near the end of the war, but was later rebuilt by the Thai government. Nowadays, the Bridge over the River Kwai consists of 11 steel beams with a total length of 300 meters and is still in use. Visitors can take a stroll on the Bridge over the River Kwai and enjoy the scenic views of the river. They can also board a train heading towards the bridge from any railway station in Kanchanaburi Province, where they can experience the local culture and interact with the Thai people.