River Kwai Bridge Week 2009
This year River Kwai Bridge week is between 27th November and 8th December. The celebrations which include, a fantastic sound and light show enacting the history of the bridge, historical exhibitions and rides on a WWII steam train are centered around the bridge a few miles North of Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Of course to many people the week also signals a time for reflection, with many families travelling from around the world to visit the grave of a loved one, perhaps in the Don Rak war grave cemetery in Kanchanaburi.
Aside from the actual Bridge on the River Kwai many people also visit Hellfire Pass and its small museum that pays homage to the "heroes of hellfire pass," thousands of Allied prisoners and Thai labourers who perished nearby building the infamous Death Railway for the Japanese.
Whether you are a long time resident or tourist this is one spectacular event that should not be missed. During the sound and light show headphones are available to listen to the commentary in English, German, Japanese and Chinese.
Needless to say during River Kwai Bridge week accommodation in the area is at a premium and advanced booking is a must.
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8 comments:
I've been trying to find out if there is any significance in the date for the week. I didn't find anything about that, but I did discover that the book on which the film is based was written by a Frenchman, Pierre Boulle, in 1952. Something to add to my fund of useless trivia!
A the only significance might be that the day after Pearl Harbour i.e.Decemebr 7th is the day that japan "invaded" Thailand. But I doubt this.
Here it is the start of the High Season so it fits nicely in for lots of tourists.
The inverted commas are there because although there was a brief resistance by some very heroic Thais(very near to where I now live) the Japs were basically invited into Thailand.
Thailand's ambassador in Washington refused to deliver the declaration of war although Thailand did declare war on the UK on this day.
A fact largely ignored by the Allies.
Bangkok was also bombed by the British later in the war.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for a very interesting post. I actually had no idea. Of course I saw the film and read the book, but the history of WWII in the Far East is not common knowledge here.
Have a happy Sunday!
Best regards
Asta
Hi Mike,
I take a special interest in this post as my Uncle actually helped build it as a prisoner of war there. He died some 20 years ago now and never said much about it trying ot block it out. As always it is good to remember and reflect on things like this as it is a good learning curve for the future.
To me the fact that this bridge is real and is still there seems almost like a story come to life. It's such a huge part of history that I never imagined I would even see this picture of.
Martin yes I agree, being of a certain age I still remember things like WWII even though I was born just after it.
Ratty you and me both having watched the movie as a kid to find later in life I could actually walk across the bridge was quite exciting even though there are no guide rails and gaps in the planks!
Hi Mike,
Visited Khanchanaburi quite a few years ago with my soon to be wife (8 or 9 years or so) and we happened to arrive on the day one of these shows was on, and we enjoyed it very much!
Was very special to sit by the river side in specially erected seats and watch the show with all the explosions, the train crossing the bridge etc.
Hi Camille glad you enjoyed it. There are many Dutch servicemen buried in Don Rak.
I really must go again soon, someone said the organisation of the sound and light show has gone to pot but just being there is very emotive.
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