Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

Summary

The Bridge on the River Kwai is one of the most famous bridges in the world. It was built during World War II as part of the Burma-Thailand Railway, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bridge is famous for its construction, its design, and its role in World War II.

Description

Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

Kanchanaburi's famous Bridge on the River Kwai is a poignant reminder of the thousands of POW's and forced labourers who lost their lives in the Second World War. This full day guided tour from Bangkok includes touching visits to a small war museum and a POW cemetery. The day will also consist of an exhilarating long-tailed speedboat ride, Thai Local Lunch, a walk across the Bridge and a ride along the tracks of the Death Railway on a local train for 90 minutes. This is great value for money with no hidden costs. This tour can be taken joined with fellow customers OR private with your own vehicle and guide

What's included

Below are items that the provider has stated are included with Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour at no additional cost

What's NOT included

Below are items that the tour provider of Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour has stated that may cost an additional fee if desired.

Points Of Interest

• 300 minutes: The Khwae Yai River, also known as the Si Sawat, is a river in western Thailand. It has its source in the Tenasserim Hills and flows for about 380 kilometres through Sangkhla Buri, Si Sawat, and Mueang Districts of Kanchanaburi Province, where it merges with the Khwae Noi to form the Mae Klong River at Pak Phraek.
• 30 minutes: The bridge on the river Kwai, that many people know from the 1957 movie with the same name or from the book by Pierre Boulle is part of the infamous Death Railway, built during World War II from 1942 to 1943. The railway connected Kanchanaburi in Western Thailand with Rangoon in Myanmar, called Burma back then, and was about 415 kilometers long. On both ends construction began in June 1942 working towards each other. In October 1943 the two sides met, finishing the railway.
• 20 minutes: The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is the main prisoner of war cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment while building the Burma Railway. It is on the main road, Saeng Chuto Road, through the town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand, adjacent to an older Chinese cemetery.
• 20 minutes: This small museum, opened in 1977, mostly focuses on the terrible ordeals of the POWs who built the Death Railway. Their harsh living conditions are shown in many original photos, letters and drawings from that time as well as personal effects and war relics, including an unexploded Allied bomb dropped to destroy the bridge. One of the three galleries is built from bamboo in the style of the shelters (called attap) the POWs lived in.
• 75 minutes: The Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway, the Siam–Burma Railway, the Thai–Burma Railway and similar names, was a 415-kilometre railway between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma, built by the Empire of Japan in 1943 to support its forces in the Burma campaign of World War II. The train is approx 75 minutes long

Additional Information

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• You must provide your hotel details at time of booking, failure to do so may result in cancellation
• Child rate is priced for children lower than 100cm tall. If Over 100cm, please pay the adult rates.
• Timings at each part of the tour may be changed at the discretion of the guide and the group
• At least 4 people are required for the Shared Tour to take place. Single traveler may book this product, but is subject to availability and cancellation if minimum number of people is not met on the activity day. (Alternative date or refund will be offered should this occur.).
• Optional extras on train - approx. 300baht for upgrade on train which will guarantee seat (otherwise 'first-in-best-dressed') plus tea/coffee, drinking water, cold towel and certificate.
• This tour can be taken shared with other passengers OR private with own vehicle and guide
• River Kwai is approx 130km from Bangkok with a stop on the way time permitting.
• Tour includes hotel pick up / drop off and is available from most central Bangkok hotels. This Option can be amended and/or cancelled. You will be able to arrange pick up from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation. Hotel pick up may be 30-60 minutes prior to tour Start time/Departure time (depending on hotel location).
• f you have mobility problems, you may have difficulties getting into or out of the long-tailed speedboat. Please advise your guide of this at the commencement of the tour. Your guide will arrange for the driver to take you to the Bridge by road instead.
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• I Asia Thailand has an exclusive partnership with 'Safety in Asia’. Being specialists in Health & Safety management in the hospitality industry, they will guide us on the best hygiene practices available. 'Safety in Asia' is FTO (Federation of Tour Operators) approved.