Kanchanaburi is a city with a dark history, but it does not weigh heavily on the current residents. This provides an opportunity to learn about that past and, especially when combined with a train ride and a visit to a waterfall, still have a very enjoyable day.

In Thailand during World War II, the Japanese wanted to build a railroad at record speed to supply their troops in Burma. The working conditions for civilian workers, prisoners of war and forced laborers were inhumane. Some 100,000 workers and about 15,000 prisoners of war lost their lives due to disease, malnutrition and exhaustion. The Burma Railway is therefore also called the Death Railway.

HELLFIRE PASS, JEATH WAR MUSEUM, WAR CEMETERY

Eyewitness accounts and more background on the construction of this infamous railroad you will find out at the Hell Fire Pass Memorial and in the JEATH War Museum. You'll also visit the Don-Rak War Cemetery where nearly 7,000 (mostly British, Dutch and Australian) prisoners of war are buried

TAKE THE TRAIN

After this, it is time to travel by train along the approximately 130 kilometers of remaining track of the Death Railway. The ride takes you over the Bridge On The River Kwai, which is famous for a classic movie, and the wooden Wang Po viaduct. This is the best part of the ride. The Khwae Noi River is on one side of the railroad and the other side consists of a rock wall and dense jungle.

SAI YOK NOI WATERFALL

Before heading back to Bangkok, we will relax at Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. The Thai name Nam Tok Khao Pung refers to a crumbling mountain. And why that is becomes clear when you get to the waterfall. It consists of multi-level eroded limestone cliffs. The water initially quietly finds its way down from the top of the mountain, eventually plunging 15 meters deep into a natural water reservoir between the rocks.

You will be picked up at your hotel in Bangkok for this tour and, of course, returned. A local lunch is included.