Highlights / General details The Bridge on the River Khwae (the Death Railway Bridge). Thanks to several films and books, the Bridge on the River Khwae has become notoriously famous and attracted both Thais and foreigners to the site. If an ordinary black iron bridge can tell a story, you can be sure it's a dramatic one. The bridge spans across Maenam Khwae Yai which is a branch of Maenam Mae Klong. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army brought the iron bridge from Java. It was then resembled by Allied Prisoners of War (POW) under Japanese supervision. The bridge was part of a strategic railway route to Myanmar in which the Japanese aimed to secure supplies with which to conquer other western Asian countries. It was 415 kilometers long (about 303 kilometers in Thailand and about 112 kilometers in Burma) and passed through the Three Pagoda Pass in Sangkhlaburi District, the northern most part of Kanchanaburi province. Construction started on September 16, 1942 at Nong Pladuk, and was completed on 25 December 1943. It is estimated that over 16,000 POWs from England, Australia, Holland and America died while building the bridge which was a target of bombing raids in 1945. In addition to this, approximate 90,000 laborers from Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia died during its construction. Rebuilt after WWII, the bridge is still in use today with the curved portions of the bridge being that of the original. An attraction of note is the annual light and sound event at the bridge to commemorate the Allied attack in 1945. Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yanasampanno: A tiger conservation area where various kinds of wild as well as domestic animals live together freely in the nature such as barking deer, deer, hog, gibbon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, horse, water buffalo, goat, etc. Wildlife of different species will be seen living together in peace and being friendly to the monks and visitors. The temple is open during 8.30 a.m. – 3.45 p.m. (from 3.30 p.m. onward for tiger). The temple is 38 kilometers far from Kanchanaburi on highway no. 323. Inclusion Pick-up at most hotels; Local Licensed Guide English Speaking; Transportation; Entrance Fee; Lunch. Exclusion Distance Supplement for some hotels; Beverages; Personal Expense; Gratuity. Hours of operation Available: Daily. Policies Requires minimum of 2 passengers to operate. Guest must call to reconfirm tour within 48 hours. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher. **All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**