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An alternative trip to the River Kwai

Although the State Railway trip to the River Kwai is highly recommendable, it is not always available. And maybe it is not convenient for some of you to rise as early as is necessary to make the State Railway trip.

I believe to offer an attractive alternative on this page.

This trip was made by us by renting a taxi for the largest part of the day. There may also be organized bus trips or other tours that are similar.

As every other trip to the River Kwai, this trip also started in Nakhon Pathom, where one should visit the largest Buddist chedi in Asia (left hand side picture).

Another 'compulsory' program item on a trip to the River Kwai is a visit to the war cemetary in Kanchanaburi, in order to pay respoect to theose who left their lives during the building of this bridge and the "death railway". (The cemetary is on the right hand side picture).

Afther these 'compulsory' visits, you can go to the Bridge over the River Kwai. The one you see nowadays is - as also mentioned on the other River Kwai page - not the original one, and it is not even on the original location.
Nevertheless, this is what you came for, and you should take a good look, walk on the bridge and, if possible, see a train cross the bridge (right hand side picture).

There are several floating restaurants next to the bridge. The food is good and cheap. You will also see some floating houses next to the bridge. Most of them are hotels.
The right hand side picture above shows the Bridge over the River Kwai from the other side of the river as the side where you normally arrive.

After having seen the famous bridge, we wanted to see the "Death Railway". But before that we made a detour, to Sai Yok National Park, where a beautiful waterfall was promised to us. Seldom in our lives were we more disappointed than in Sai Yok National Park, where we had to pay a high entrance fee. The reason for our disappointment was, that the waterfall was not visible, due to the high level of the water in the river. The left hand side picture above shows what was left of the waterfall when we were there! We could hardly believe our eyes!
We were richly compensated, hoewever, during our visit to a naerby cave: Tham Kasae. This breathtaking cave (right hand side picture) as a bonus contained several nice Buddha Images.

Not far from Tham Kasae you get a very good view of the Death Railway, as the two pictures above show clearly. This railway is part of the real railway, built by Japanese POW's in World War II.
Our trip ended with this impressive view.

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Related page: the State Railway trip to the River Kwai
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