Attractions information

Don Rak War Cemetery Kanchanaburi

The Don Rak War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi is the final resting place of 6,982 Allied POWs who perished during the construction of the Death Railway during World War II.

There is another cemetery at Chungkai just outside Kanchanaburi.

Don Rak War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi is maintained in beautiful condition by the Australian Government and is a sober reminder of those who paid the supreme sacrifice so that we could live in peace.

The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is only a short distance from the site of the former 'Kanburi', the prisoner of war base camp through which most of the prisoners passed on their way to other camps.

The graves are marked with horizontal bronze plaques set into the grass. Scarlet, purple and white bougainvillaea tumbles over the surrounding walls and flowering trees and shrubs dot the grounds. It seems a strange thing to say, but this is truly a beautiful place.

Within the entrance building to the cemetery will be found the Kanchanaburi Memorial, recording the names of eleven men of the army of undivided India buried in Muslim cemeteries in Thailand, where their graves could not be maintained.

The Don Rak War Cemetery is the location of the ANZAC Day Wreath-laying Ceremony held on 25th April each year.

Important Information

On wet days, the lawn cemetery is off-limits to the public.

If you wish to see a specific grave, please bring the number with you as there are two main cemeteries in Kanchanaburi.

Attractions information

Bridge over the River Kwai

The Bridge over the River Kwai was built during World War II for the Japanese Army using Allied POWs.

Altogether, 61,700 British, American, Australian, Dutch and New Zealand soldiers and a large number of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, Burmese and Indian labourers were involved.
Two bridges were actually built side by side. A wooden trestle bridge, which is no longer there, was completed in February 1943 and an eleven span steel bridge completed in April 1943.

This bridge had been dismantled by the Japanese and brought to Kanchanaburi from Java in 1942. The central spans were destroyed by Allied bombings and rebuilt by British Army Engineers immediately after the war.

It was part of the strategic railway linking Thailand with Burma. During the construction of the bridge over the Khwae Yai River - River Kwai as it is known among foreigners - the brutalities of war, disease and starvation claimed thousands of POWs lives.

The bridge was immortalised in the book by Pierre Boulle entitled The Bridge Over The River Kwai and later in the movie of the same name. Unfortunately, he had never been to Kanchanaburi or he would have known that the railway does not cross the River Kwai. It actually crosses the Mae Klong River, so the Thai authorities simply renamed the river to aid tourism!

Attractions information

Giraffe Encounter

You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the astonishing and fascinating one of the world?�?s tallest mammals and will be in awe of their long necks, rough tongues and adorable ossicones!

Attractions information

Kanchanaburi Province

Kanchanaburi Province which borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west is the third largest Thailand's of seventy six provinces.

It is located 130 km west of Bangkok and has a population of about 735,000 of which 54,000 live in Kanchanaburi town itself. This is a most picturesque part of Thailand.

Kanchanaburi town was originally established by King Rama I as a first line of defence against the Burmese, who might use the old invasion route through the Three Pagodas Pass on the Thai-Burma border.

The magnificent landscape & charming beauty of Kanchanaburi have resulted in major tourist attractions including the well-known Erawan Waterfalls, caves which were once inhabited by Neolithic man, pristine national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and reservoir.

Together, they offer an intriguing experience whether you are visiting for the first-time or returning for another visit.

Whatever your personal interest: fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-watching, star-gazing, golfing, elephants, tigers, jungle trekking or even living on bamboo rafts, Kanchanaburi takes pride in offering them all.

Local residents of Kanchanaburi are engaged in agricultural activities as this is one of the most fertile provinces. Most of the locals are of Thai ancestry with notable Mon and Karen minorities.

Attractions information

Death Railway Wang Pho Viaduct

The Death Railway is a section of the Thai-Burma line which was built to support the Japanese occupation of Burma during World War 2. The Wang Po Viaduct is a wooden lattice structure that supports the railway line around a cliff wall with the River Kwai below and is quite spectacular.

The twice-daily train service runs from Thonburi to Nam Tok station, which is the end of the line now. It is a slow trip as the third class train stops at every little station on the way and the scenery is not so interesting.

However, once the train arrives in Kanchanaburi, everything changes. First off, the train crosses the Bridge over the River Kwai and then follows the river providing some spectacular scenery.

The highlight of course, is the train crawling around the Wang Pho viaduct and it will allow you time to reflect on the 100,000 conscripted Asian labourers and 16,000 Allied POWs who died during its construction. The two main viaducts followed the bottom of the cliff for some distance. A ledge had to be carved out of the cliff face to form a base for the bridge and embankment construction.

Near the station is the Krasae Cave, which houses a fine Buddha figure and offers a spectacular view over the River Kwai. This cave was used by the POWs as a hospital during the construction of the railway.

Amazing Kanchanaburi, Train Ride, Safari Park, Giraffes Encounter  (Code:1500)

Pick a day and people

THB  10,000.00

THB  10,800.00

THB  12,900.00

THB  15,900.00

THB  17,900.00

THB  20,100.00

THB  21,700.00

THB  24,700.00

THB  27,600.00

THB  0.00

THB  0.00

THB  0.00

This tour is not designed for cruise ship passengers. Exclusive cruise ship tours are available from Klong Toey Port and Laem Chabang Port.

Travel back in time and recapture triumphs and tragedies on the Bridge over the River Kwai,Take the train along the Death Railway, plus take a short drive to a place where a variety of animals roam freely- lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras and bears, stopping along the way for photos and feeding.

Do you want your tailor-made tour?

A tailor-made tour is the best kind of independent travel itinerary, designed and arranged just for you and your needs.
All events and activities are part of your very personal, privately guided tour.
Just ask us and we will be happy to make your tour an unforgettable experience. We have been doing this for 25 years and the quality of tailor made tours has never changed.

Request a Custom Tour

Why is a private tour a better choice?

With a private tour, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. There is much more room for flexibility and changes to your itinerary at every step of the way because you don't have to consider the needs of other travelers. The flexibility and freedom to make the most of your time is the reason why so many people choose to take a private tour rather than a group tour.

Tour Programme

07:00 - Pick up from Hotel

Please wait in the lobby of the hotel. If we leave early we'll be out of the city before the rush hour traffic.

09:30 - Don Rak War Cemetery Kanchanaburi

First stop in Kanchanaburi is at the War Cemetery where the local guide will join you. This is the final resting place of 6,982 Allied POWs who died during the construction of the Death Railway during World War II. If wet the lawn cemetery is off-limits.Read More >

10:00 - Bridge over the River Kwai

We'll make a quick stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai. You'll have time to walk across the bridge and take some photos. Please be careful here because the bridge has no sides or safety rails.Read More >

11:45 - Wildlife Sanctuary Safari: giraffes encounter

SAFARI BUS TOUR: The giraffes here will make your day. Their long necks just keep coming and coming to find the food they know is in the bus.Read More >

13:00 - Lunch in Local Thai Restaurant

Lunch will be served in a local Thai restaurant.Read More >

14:00 - Train Ride along the 'Death Railway'

We'll board the train and ride over the precarious Wang Pho Viaduct which was constructed by POWs along the cliff face and high above the River Kwai.Read More >

15:00 - Depart for Bangkok

All good things must come to an end, so it's time to head back to the city.

17:00 - Arrive back at Hotel

You can expect to be back at your hotel in Bangkok around 5:00 pm depending on the traffic.

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