Kanchanaburi, the Death Railway Part 1

Shortly after the Loy Krathong festival, I came across another public holiday of Thailand, which was the H.M King's Birthday, which falls on 5th December every year. This time, I would be able to enjoy a 3-day long weekend, which made me start thinking of another travel plan. I have heard about the death railway for quite some time, and I felt that it was the right time to go for it. My next destination, Kanchanaburi for a 3D2N trip. 

Kanchanaburi, a town 130 km West from Bangkok, is a capital city of Kanchanaburi province. Kanchanaburi is made famous to foreigners for the Death Railway as well as the Allied Prisoners Of War (POW) death camps. There are even a few movies made from the stories of Kanchanaburi.

As usual, I took the minivan from Victory Monument. I found this method to be one of the most convenient transportation to get out from Bangkok. Over there, it is like a one-stop station for all the minivans to the nearby cities out of Bangkok. Comfort wise, not really, and probably dangerous driving style (depending on driver's attitude) but cheap to go. As I already had experience travelling to Nakhon Pathom, I would use the same minivan to go to Kanchanaburi. Travelling to Kanchanaburi will take around 2 hours and half.

Upon reaching, I hiked on the songthaew and headed to Maenamkwai Rd, which a lot of guesthouses are situated. As I never book any room prior to arrival, I went to scout for a good condition hotel room before checking in. After hearing so much about the room on the raft at Kanchanaburi, I wanted to try on that. So I searched around for the raft room, but sadly all were fully booked. I ended up went for a landed room at Bamboo House, as the receptionist told me that the group who was staying in the raft room were supposed to check out the next morning. If that was the case, then I could move into the raft room the next day.

After settling down at the guest house, I walked out to rent a motorbike, which would become my main transport for the next 3 days. 

Earlier at the tourist center I found out that there was an annual carnival happening during the week, which the locals would play the short stage play of the history of Death Railway, as well as fireworks display. So I bought the entrance ticket, and I just stroll around for some sites before coming back for the carnival at night.

First place to visit, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. This is located along the main road of Kanchanaburi town, and easily spotted. 

There were almost 7000 POWs from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Australia buried here. These POWs were perished while involving in the construction of the Death Railway.

Next to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is the Death Railway Museum. There were plenty of documentations regarding the Death Railway, as well as some valuable photos. No photo-shooting inside the museum, thus I only have the photo from the outside of museum.

Next I went to the JEATH War Museum. JEATH stands for Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Holland. 

This is one of the two war museums in Kanchanaburi, and it houses some paintings, weapons, tools and equipment during the war, as well as a section of replica of Allied POW's quarters.

Not far from the JEATH museum there was a city gate, with three cannons overlooking the Phachi River, which was once the main transport route in the old days. The city gate was built in 1831 during the reign of King Rama III.

Heading out of the town of Kanchanaburi, I came to another war cemetery which was the Chungkai War Cemetery. This is the final resting place of more than 1700 sailors, soldiers and airmen who gave their lives in the World War II. Chungkai was one of the base camp for the railway, and it contained a hospital and a church built by the Allied POW here.

Next, I moved on to a temple, Wat Phothisat Banpot Nimit. The temple was under construction or renovation during my visit. Nothing much special about this temple.

Looks like the news of this temple has gone viral, when some protected wildlife were seized in the temple in 2012, a year after my visit. Not sure how it happened but surely this would impact the impression of public towards this temple.

As the day has gotten late, I started to move back to the Death Railway site in order to catch the carnival on time. While on my way back, I came across another temple which was the cave temple, Wat Tham Khao Poon. There was a big golden Buddha statue at the cave entrance, and from here we could have a view of River Kwai from the higher point.

Inside the limestone cave, there were even more golden Buddha images along the route. We have some little tour guides, who were local primary school kids, to lead the visitors and explain the features of the cave. Small tips to be given to them after the tour, and they were very happy even with a small amount of cash. This amazed me as they have simple life and they were satisfied easily!

Passing by Wat Thewasangkhanam, I witnessed beautiful sunset across the River Kwai with the temple's Ubosoth. 

Moving to the Death Railway site, crowd started to build up for the carnival and also the night market next to the bridge. People walking on the railway track taking pictures, and so did I.

As the sky got dark, the carnival started. The bridge over River Kwai was fully lit up, and the performers started their stage play of how the bridge was built, and the steam locomotive ran over the bridge upon construction completion, with steam whistle blowing. Frankly speaking, this was my first time hearing to steam locomotive whistle and the sound was truly marvelous! 

  

The show followed by the firework displays to reenact the bombing of the Allied troops against the Japanese, and finally, Japanese surrendered the war. 

The stage play ended with even more fireworks, as well as the sky lanterns released from the bridge, marking the victory of the war.

After the carnival ended, I had a small walk at the night market, searching for my dinner. Then I went back to the guesthouse to rest for more exciting journey on the next day.

Stay tuned for more stories from Kanchanaburi!