|
Geography Climate People Religion Language Food&Fruits Hill tribes Thai Boxing |
||
|
Bangkok & Around Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Northern Northeastern |
|
|
Geography Climate People Religion Language Food&Fruits Hill tribes Thai Boxing |
||
|
Bangkok & Around Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Northern Northeastern |
|
The bridge is well-known all
over the world because almost half a century ago about 16,000 Allied
POWs died while building the "Death Railway" to Burma. The
prisoners were forced by by the Imperial Japanese Army in the World War
II to build a strategic railway through the disease ridden jungle and
treacherous rivers of province.
Apart from the horrifying death toll of the POWs during the
construction, it is believed that about 100,000 coolies, many from
Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and Indonesia also lost their lives.
After the end of World War II, the Allies forces placed the remains of
the dead to rest in the two war cemeteries near the site of the bridge.
Every year during the first week of December, there is a light and sound
presentation detailing the construction and the bombing of the historic
railway bridge by the Allied forces. It is a popular event with Thai and
foreign visitors. During the fair, a constant stream of visitors flow to
Kanchanaburi.