Thread: Train trip over the river kwai

I have always wanted to go and see the bridge over the river kwai. Last January when we were in Thailand we drove out there to have a look around. The town was a bit of a disappointment but the train trip made up for it. The town was very quiet and seems to rely on bus tours and people shopping at those gem shops. Here are some pictures I took on the train.

this was at the station.




these two children were having a good old time in someones hammock.




heading out crazy you can stand on the bridge as the train goes bye.




we also took one of these boats up the river it was a nice trip.



these are the platforms to stand on when the train goes over.


you have to be careful putting your head out the window.



here are a few Bangkokians with there dog out for a trip in the country.



after a few kilometers we got close to the river again quite a view.




I will put up a few more tomorrow.

nice how much is the train and how far does it go?

Nice! I've been to the bridge but didn't know the train actually goes that far. Where did the train start? Where does it end? Can you ride all the way from Bangkok?

Great, I did this trip as well...

I loved Kanchaburi, absolutely stunning place and so much history.

there are some great places to stay right on the river. and the food is not bad,
just watch out for drunk cops with guns

Appologies naptownmike I forgot in my previous post to thank you for your posting efforts,,,great job

We drove from Pattaya to Kanchanaburi it was not a really pleasant drive. There was a lot of construction and i took a terrible route to try and avoid Bkk as it was the day they started the shut down.
We stayed at a very nice hotel on the river. They had bikes you could use to go around the city. The train makes a few stops in Kanchanaburi one at the main station but we got our tickets and got on the train right at the station near the bridge. I think my ticket was 100 baht and the wife's was free.
The train goes out to the last stop at Nontok but stops at quite a few small stations along the way that seem to be in the middle of nowhere.

there was alot of farming action on the way




a whole lot of open space.



This was one of the stops I couldn't believe people got off here.




This kids mom was selling snacks on the train. She seemed to be having a good time.




I wish this was in better focus there were so many cool sights but hard to capture on that clunky old train.




I love how basic the tools are it would be fun to take of on this thing.





This was the approach to the famous trestle bridge.




the old wood made quite a noise as we crept over this bridge.










There were alot of the floating hotels here that my wife was looking for we didn't see any back in the city but these looked great.




The station here 2nd to the last I cant remember the name but it was chock full of Ivans all bused in to see the trestle bridge and buy souvenirs.




We got off here the train goes to Nantok the comes back in about an hour so you can look around and get a drink. Theres not much around so we walked across the bridge and got back on the train just on the other side it was cool to walk back over the bridge.

I saw this cool dog before we went across.




a look at whats holding it all together.





You can see some more of the floating hotels here.













almost to the other side it was cool to walk over.





The flag man was sleeping in here waiting for the train to come back. This is were you get back on if you walk back. Its next to a very nice resort.




Here are a few of the train approaching.

great thread mate, I love train trips and this one looks really scenic.

This was on of the types of carriages to chose from the were all kinds and you could sit where you wanted. The train wasn't very full.




I'm glad I didn't need this.





everyone resting on the way back.




This one is back at the river kwai bridge looking up stream. Our hotel was just up this way and some very nice restaurants as well.





That's it for my pictures on this trip. I'm glad we went out to see the area I love train rides my wife to a bit of convincing to take the train but it was the high point really.
The old musium is a bit tired, I loveed the mural with a painting of Winston Churchill that looked Asian I took a picture but cant find it now classic Thai. There is alot of old WWII stuff all just rotting away from the humidity.
I used the gps on my Iphone on the way home and it took me right trough victory monument in Bkk. I thought we were finished but made it past no problem the roads were all blocked I just followed a mini van and made it out.
There must be a better way back to Pattaya from there.

Almost forgot the trip from river Kwai to the trestle bridge stop was about 2 hours.

mike

Fantastic trip. Thanks for sharing.

Really fantastic stuff! Amazing they let you walk along that wooden trestle bridge- what if the train comes while people are out in the middle of it???

Great pics, now, I feel like I have already visited the place.

Very interesting and informative thread. Thanks for posting

Thanks to all. It was a fun relaxing trip not to many people around, except all the packers at that last station. Now I'd like to go on another train trip maybe in Burma or Bangkok to Chiang mai.

Originally Posted by naptownmike

Thanks to all. It was a fun relaxing trip not to many people around, except all the packers at that last station. Now I'd like to go on another train trip maybe in Burma or Bangkok to Chiang mai.

Do you mean all the Russians at Sai Yok? I don't know where they came from. All of the sudden it seemed like busloads of them just appeared. I take my daughter up to Sai Yok Noi to swim a few times a month and I'm happy if there are just two Pegas or Biblio Global busses. I've tried going in the morning, in the afternoon, on weekdays, on weekends, I can't figure out a pattern. They're just there.

Lovely pictures shared, Fantastic trip. Thanks again for sharing.

Very enjoyable thread. I hope to visit the war graves as apart of the trip later this year.