River Kwai - Khwae Yai River
Overview of the River Kwai
The River Kwai, also known as Khwae Noi or Khwae Sai Yok is a river in western Thailand. It begins at the confluence of Ranti, Songkalia, and Bikhli Rivers, and merges with the Khwae Yai River at Kanchanaburi to form the Mae Klong river. The river is known from the Pierre Boulle novel and a film called The Bridge on the River Kwai. The 2 most famous attractions along the river are Saiyok National Park & The Bridge over the Kwai river. From Bangkok, you can travel to these 2 places by train, bus, taxi or car.
Picturesque River Kwai
The Bridge on the River Kwai film
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British-American CinemaScope and Technicolor adventure epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the 1952 novel written by Pierre Boulle. The film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943. The cast included William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa. It was initially scripted by screenwriter Carl Foreman, who was later replaced by Michael Wilson. The film won seven Academy Awards at the 30th Academy Awards. It has been included on the American Film Institute's list of best American films ever made. In 1999, the British Film Institute voted The Bridge on the River Kwai the 11th greatest British film of the 20th century.
Bridge over the river on the film
Things to do
Visit Saiyok National Park
River Kwai runs through a national park called Saiyok National Park. The park covers approximately 300-square-kilometers and is home to several wonderful caves and a picturesque waterfall called Sai Yok Yai. Inside the park, there are numerous wild animals, such as squirrels, bats, deer, and birds, and the world's smallest mammal, the two-grammed Kittis Hog-nosed Bat, which was first discovered in 1973. Many tourists come to visit this nation during the weekend for river rafting, camping, mountain biking. This park can easily be reached by taking a train to the Nam Tok Railway station, or bus from Kanchanaburi Bus Station. You can also trek to Saiyok National Park.
Opened: every day from 7 am to 5 pm
Admission: THB 300/ adult, THB 200/ child.
Beautiful cave in Saiyok National park
Visit The Bridge over the Kwai river
The Bridge over the Kwai river is another tourist attraction. A lot of Australian, Dutch, and British prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese to construct the bridge. Many of them died for it. The original bridge was partly destroyed by a bomb blast; it was rebuilt later to make it a historic location. Today the train operates every day passing the bridge. This bridge is a must-see place if you want to learn more about the history of Burma, Thailand during World War II
The bridge over the Kwai river
Go on a boat ride on the River Kwai
One of the best ways to explore the River Kwai and surrounding areas is to go on a long tail speed boat. You will travel along the river, come to visit the bridge, the Chungkai War cemetery, the World War II museum, and Khao Poon Underground Cave Temple. The best time to see the river is during the sunset and sunrise, so do not miss it.
Boat ride on the River Kwai
Enjoy a cup of coffee with a view
There are some restaurants, hotels offering a beautiful view of the river. One of the best ways to enjoy life is to enjoy a good coffee at one of these restaurants with a wooden terrace overlooking the river. Ravi Riva Café de Forest, Bicycle café, Meena Café are among the great choices.
Enjoying Coffee
Beautiful hotel near the River Kwai
