The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai was built during World War II as part of the Japanese military’s railway route from Nong Pla Duk Junction Station, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province to Thanbyuzayat City, Burma. In some parts of the railway route, the bridge had to be built over deep and rapid water. The Japanese army chose to build the bridge over the Kwai Yai River at Ban Tha Makham (at that time it was called Ban Tha Ma Kham), Tambon Tha Makham, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, because the ground below was dense. At first, it was a temporary wooden bridge, 100 meters away from the current bridge. It took 3 months to build. Later, it was built as a permanent steel bridge by assembling steel from Malaya. The tracks were laid by British prisoners of war. The bridge is 300 meters long and has 11 sections with concrete piers. It was officially opened on December 25, 1943. Later, in November 1944, during the war, the Bridge on the River Kwai was heavily bombed by Allied soldiers, causing the bridge to break in the middle. Japan later surrendered on August 15, 1945. #Bridge on the River Kwai #Travel in Thailand #Review of Kanchanaburi travel #Kanchanaburi