Khwae Noi River

During World War 2, the Japanese used Allied prisoners of war to build a railway from Thailand to Burma so they could supply their army without the dangers of sending supplies by sea. Many prisoners died under appalling conditions during its construction, and the line became known as the 'Death Railway'. It was immortalised in David Lean's 1957 film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' which centres around one of the line's main engineering feats, the bridge across the Kwae Yai river just north of Kanchanaburi. Although the film was shot in Sri Lanka, the Bridge on the River Kwai really exists, and still carries regular passenger trains from Bangkok as far as Nam Tok. For anyone interested in 20th century history, a visit to Kanchanaburi and the infamous Death Railway is a must. This page gives all the necessary information for train travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, the Bridge on the River Kwai & Nam Tok, along with an overview of what there is to see in the area, including the Bridge Over the River Kwai, the Wampo (Wang Po) Viaduct and the museum at Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting). You can see the Bridge on the River Kwai as a day trip from Bangkok using the morning train out and afternoon train back, but it's better to make it a 2 or 3 day trip as there's a lot more to see than just the Bridge. For example, you could take the morning passenger train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on day 1, stay a night or two in Kanchanaburi, then take the afternoon train back on day 2 or 3, so you can visit Hellfire Pass (less well known than the Bridge, but not be missed) and travel the Death Railway through fantastic scenery over the dramatic Wampo Viaduct as far as its current terminus at Nam Tok.
During World War 2, the Japanese used Allied prisoners of war to build a railway from Thailand to Burma so they could supply their army without the dangers of sending supplies by sea. Many prisoners died under appalling conditions during its construction, and the line became known as the 'Death Railway'. It was immortalised in David Lean's 1957 film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' which centres around one of the line's main engineering feats, the bridge across the Kwae Yai river just north of Kanchanaburi. Although the film was shot in Sri Lanka, the Bridge on the River Kwai really exists, and still carries regular passenger trains from Bangkok as far as Nam Tok. For anyone interested in 20th century history, a visit to Kanchanaburi and the infamous Death Railway is a must. This page gives all the necessary information for train travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, the Bridge on the River Kwai & Nam Tok, along with an overview of what there is to see in the area, including the Bridge Over the River Kwai, the Wampo (Wang Po) Viaduct and the museum at Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting). You can see the Bridge on the River Kwai as a day trip from Bangkok using the morning train out and afternoon train back, but it's better to make it a 2 or 3 day trip as there's a lot more to see than just the Bridge. For example, you could take the morning passenger train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on day 1, stay a night or two in Kanchanaburi, then take the afternoon train back on day 2 or 3, so you can visit Hellfire Pass (less well known than the Bridge, but not be missed) and travel the Death Railway through fantastic scenery over the dramatic Wampo Viaduct as far as its current terminus at Nam Tok.

Popular places to visit

Wonderful!

Mueang Sing Historical Park

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Find out about the history of Sai Yok when you take a trip to Mueang Sing Historical Park. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Mueang Sing Historical Park
The Tiger Temple

Wat PA Luang Ta Bua Yansampanno

Why not meet the animals who call Wat PA Luang Ta Bua Yansampanno home during your trip to Kanchanaburi? While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Wat PA Luang Ta Bua Yansampanno
Bridge Over the River Kwai showing a bridge and a river or creek

Bridge Over the River Kwai

4.5/5(25 reviews)

Take a walk over this historic landmark, which has become the symbol of the infamous Thailand-Burma railway.

Bridge Over the River Kwai
Aerial view of Skywalk Observation Deck made by transparent glass with beautiful Kanchanaburi city view by river at Kanchanaburi province Thailand.

Kanchanaburi Skywalk

Enjoy an outing to Kanchanaburi Skywalk during your stay in Kanchanaburi. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Kanchanaburi Skywalk
Panorama of beautiful sunrise scene at old an long wooden bridge at Sangklaburi,Kanchanaburi province, Thailand

Kanchanaburi Walking Street

4/5(14 reviews)

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Kanchanaburi Walking Street during your stay in Ban Tai. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Kanchanaburi Walking Street
Thailand-Burma Railway Centre showing interior views

Thailand-Burma Railway Centre

4.5/5(16 reviews)

An attractive off-white exterior belies the story told inside of the harsh conditions manual laborers faced when constructing a wartime rail system.

Thailand-Burma Railway Centre

Top Hotel Deals

Khaothone River View Resort

Khaothone River View Resort

3 out of 5
191/1 Moo 3, Tha Sao Sai Yok Kanchanaburi
Khaothone River View Resort
River Kwai Resotel

River Kwai Resotel

3 out of 5
55 Moo 5, Tambol Wangkrajae Sai Yok Kanchanaburi
River Kwai Resotel
The Hilltop Erawan

The Hilltop Erawan

2 out of 5
110 Moo3 T.Thakradan Si Sawat Kanchanaburi
The Hilltop Erawan
Hintok River Camp at Hellfire Pass

Hintok River Camp at Hellfire Pass

3 out of 5
109 Moo 9, Ban Had Ngew, Tambon Thasao Sai Yok Kanchanaburi
Hintok River Camp at Hellfire Pass
Paenaifun Resort

Paenaifun Resort

2.5 out of 5
Thanon Lat Ya-Erawan Si Sawat Chang Wat Kanchanaburi
Paenaifun Resort
Mida Resort Kanchanaburi

Mida Resort Kanchanaburi

4 out of 5
199 Moo 2, Latya-Srisawat Road Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi
Mida Resort Kanchanaburi
See all 323 properties in Khwae Noi River
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