THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI
Situated just to the north of the town, this bridge was made famous by the 1957 film Bridge over the River Kwai by David Lean, though in fact the movie portrayed a wooden bridge that was constructed earlier. Both bridges were badly damaged by Allied plane attacks in 1944 and 1945, but several arches of the metal bridge stood throughout and it was repaired after the war.

The bridge was the key point in the so-called “Death Railway” that connected Thailand and Burma, intended to provide a supply line for Japanese troops in Myanmar, though the work was completed only at the loss of countless lives of prisoners-of-war and local labourers supervised by Japanese troops. The railway line was only used a few times before the Japanese surrender, after which the British tore up part of the track, making it inoperative. These days it is possible to cross the bridge on foot or by train on the way to Namtok, about 100 km. to the northwest. Steam-train enthusiasts will be delighted to see a few World War II era machines displayed beside the bridge. Those with a particular interest in the history of the area should time their visit to coincide with the River Kwai Bridge Festival, in late November each year (see Special Events).

JEATH WAR MUSEUM
“JEATH” refers to the six countries involved in the building of the railway Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland - and this museum located to the south of the town centre next to Wat Chaichumphon gives a vivid picture of the terrible conditions in which the Allied prisoners-of -war lived. The museum building is a copy of the long thatched bamboo huts that were used to house the prisoners during the war. On display are paintings, photographs and newspaper articles from the period, detailing the cruel torture methods used by the Japanese. The museum is open from 8.30-18.00.

WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
This museum, located just south of the bridge, contains war memorabilia in the form of bomb shells, photos and sketches from the period, statues of important war leaders, and over 100 skeletons of Asian labourers found in a mass grave. In a separate building there are displays of Buddha images, Thai weaponry from the Ayutthaya period and portraits of the kings of Thailand. The museum is open from 8.00-18.00.

KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY
Perhaps even more moving than the bridge or museums are the lines of identical gravestones in the cemetery located just near the train station. The remains of almost 7,000 Allied prisoners are buried here; many of  the memorial slabs are unidentified, but several give details of the soldiers, showing that the great majority were very young indeed. A memorial service is held each year on Anzac Day, April 25.

HELLFIRE PASS MEMORIAL MUSEUM
About 80 km. northwest of Kanchanaburi, the most difficult terrain met in the construction of the Death Railway was dubbed “Hellfire Pass” by those who worked there, hacking away at solid rock with the most basic of tools. The Memorial Museum here, open from 9.00-16.00, is perhaps the best of all those in the region, combining maps, war relics, models, photos and accounts by survivors. A four-kilometre trail from the museum leads along part of the railway’s former route, where a section of the track has now been relaid.

THREE PAGODAS PASS
This border crossing point between Thailand and Myanmar is named after three small but historically significant pagodas built in the eighteenth century as a gesture of peace between these frequently warring neighbours. The pass is about 1,400 metres above sea level, and is often shrouded in mist.

RIVER KWAI BRIDGE FESTIVAL

• Late November-Early December
• The bridge over the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi is the scene of a spectacular, hour-long sound and light performance every evening that portrays the region’s role in the war. This festival is very popular so it is advisable to book hotels and transport well in advance.