After a motorbike trip to Erawan Waterfalls, as a second destination for a day trip from Kanchanaburi, we chose Tham Krasae Bridge Railway Station. That is part of the Siam-Burma historic railway built by the Japanese army during the WW2 occupation of Indochina. Owing to the 100,000’s of forced laborers who died during its construction, the line is commonly known as the Death Railway.
Tham Krasae Bridge was one of the project’s most astounding engineering feats. It spans 400 meters of a perilous narrow ledge between a vertical cliff and the bank of Kwae Noi River. It was built by 2.000 POW’s and local slave workers in just 17 days. However, part of it needed to be reerected after collapsing together with the first-ever passing train.
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Tham Krasae Bridge is 47 km away from central Kanchanaburi. To get there, you follow Motorway 323 to the village of Wang Sing (where the Tiger Temple is also located). Then you follow road 4032 until it terminates before the bridge. That’s the fastest way, which we took on our way back. On our way there, we took an alternative route (road 3228), running along the railway and the river. Somewhat longer, but definitely more pleasant, owing to its little traffic and occasional fantastic views.
It was still early morning when we arrived on the spot. We left the bike in the designated parking area and proceeded on foot. One can walk either straight over the bridge or on a narrow trail running below it. The views of the River Kwai and the enveloping mountains were outright stunning. I suppose the site must be pretty crowded during normal times, but given the Covid pandemic, there were but a few companies of Thai tourists present. Mosquitos and biting ants were especially fond of close interactions with our skin.
Shortly before the bridge’s northern end, we also entered a picturesque cave containing a temple. At the end of the bridge, there is the actual station. Having checked those out, we walked back to the south and had a coffee at a cute raft cafe on the resort’s premises.
We would have wished to see the train crossing the bridge, but it was getting late and we had to head back slowly. Right upon getting back to the bike, as if scheduled, we heard the train approaching. Very lucky. I chased it along the bridge, trying to get some nice shots. When it accelerated beyond my jogging capacity, I gave up and headed back. Riding full-speed on the motorway, we were back in Kanchanaburi in less than an hour.
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