The Bridge on the River Kwai | Kanchanaburi

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 built as 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 attacked by Allied soldiers with heavy bombing until the bridge broke in the middle. Later, Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. #Places to visit near Bangkok #Places to visit in Kanchanaburi #Kanchanaburi #Bridge on the River Kwai