Internationally famous due to the 1957 film the Bridge Over the River Kwai, it was constructed as part of the Japanese Siam-Burma ‘Death’ Railway during World War II. An estimated 16,000 Allied prisoners of war died, forced to endure back-breaking work under terrible conditions to complete the railway, and large numbers of troops perished during bombing raids on the iron structure by the Allies in 1945. The moving JEATH War Museum (JEATH representing the first letter of Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland, the countries who lost soldiers in the region) is located in the provincial capital, Kanchanaburi and features photographs and various other memorabilia from World War II.

Kanchanaburi Tourist Office: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Region 1, Saeng Chuto Road, Amphoe Mueang, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
Tel: (03) 451 1200 or 451 2500
JEATH War Museum: Wat Chaichumpol, Ban Tai, Mueang, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Tel: (034) 515 203

Air: Bangkok International Airport. Rail: Train: Services to Kanchanaburi Station (from Bangkok Noi Station). Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Hwy-4 (from Bangkok), then Hwy-323.

Thailand