Located in Kanchanburi, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Bangkok, the bridge over the river Kwai is a popular tourist destination both Thais and foreigners alike.
The bridge is part of “The Death Railway,” which was built between 1942 and 1943. Built by the Japanese to support their supply chain during the Burma campaign of World War 2, as a supply chain to support Japanese forces in the Burma campaign the 400 km long railway connected Thailand to what is now Myanmar. Forced labor was used during it’s construction and because of harsh working and infectious diseases, over 100,000 lives were lost, many of them prisoners of war.
Of all the war history monuments in Thailand today, the bridge over the river Kwai is probably the most well known.
While not for those with balance issues, most visitors walk over the bridge to visit small market areas of both sides. Come nighttime, the bridge becomes a popular place for the local kids to hang out and have a few Chang beers.
Chef Chris Colburn 