Thailand: River Kwai and Bangkok (4 days)

River Kwai and Bangkok

Day 1 - Drive to Kanchanaburi; train and boat to River Kwai

An early morning drive, by-passing Bangkok, takes us to the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi, where we visit the war cemetery and the famous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’. The building of the bridge and the ‘Death Railway’ as it has become known, is one of the most infamous episodes of the Second World War. The Japanese built the railway to link Siam and Burma (Myanmar) using Prisoners of War between June 1942 and October 1943. It was to carry supplies to their fast expanding empire and by doing so it would cut almost 1,300 miles off the sea route from Japan. The working conditions were atrocious and over 16,000 allied troops lost their lives as well as an estimated 75,000 Asian forced labourers. We then take the train along part of the original route. We continue by bus to the ‘Hellfire Pass’ and visit the Memorial Museum. Finally we transfer to longtail boats for a journey up the River Kwai to our Raft Houses, set in a tranquil location on the river’s edge. Night in raft house. (Dinner)

Day 2 - On the River Kwai

We spend a full day here exploring the jungle and the river by elephant and bamboo rafts. A visit to nearby ‘Mon’ minority villages will also be organised or you may choose to relax with an optional Thai massage. Alternatively you may prefer to simply relax in your raft house and watch the world go by. Night in raft house. (Full Board)

Day 3 - Boat and drive back to Bangkok

We head back by longtail boat to Pak Sang Pier this morning and join our vehicle for the drive to Bangkok. Arrive Bangkok and check-in at hotel. The afternoon is left free for you to get to know this fascinating city at your own pace. Being a city of rivers and canals, Bangkok is best explored from the water and so you may wish to take an optional longtail boat excursion along the busy ‘klongs’, whilst pausing to visit Wat Arun - the Temple of the Dawn. Overnight in Bangkok. (Bed & Breakfast)