The Bridge Over River Kwai - Day Trip From Bangkok

I never watched the movie but I always wondered about the name. While in Bangkok we decided to do a day trip to Kanchanaburi to learn more about it. 

We took a bus from Bangkok's Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Taling Chan) and a couple of hours later we arrived to our destination. It was easy. And inexpensive.

Bridge over River Kwai

We read that prior to visiting the railway, we should visit the Railway Museum otherwise we wouldn't get the whole picture. And since we arrived around lunch time, it would make even more sense to stay indoors to avoid sun exposure and hot temperatures during peak hours.

The Railway Museum  is privately funded. The entrance fee is a steal, just $4 pp and it includes a free coffee. 

It's a small museum but it's very well done, it's respectful and accurate. It presents lots of useful information to better understand the hardship and death toll it took to build this railway. It's very moving.

If you had any family member working on the railway you can use the research center to find out where he was kept prisoner and in which area of the railway he was forced to work.

Bridge over River Kwai

Taking a walk in the bridge

After we spent a good amount of time in the museum, we visited the railway. There is not much to see. Just a bridge and a railway that is inactive. 

During its construction more than 13.000 prisoners of war and 80.000 to 100.000 civilians died and they were buried along the railway. It's impressive.

River Kwai

We had a delicious lunch in On's Issan Restaurant, serving vegetarian meals close by. The owner, a sweet lady, made it from scratch in front of us. It was a simple meal but the fresh ingredients played a big role. The base was fried brown rice mixed with pineapple and veggies.

Delicious vegetarian meal