Although the number of visitors who come to Kanchanaburi specifically to see the bridge from the film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is no longer as high as it once was, some still expect a structure made of wood and bamboo – similar to the one shown in the film (even though it was blown up). In fact, the current bridge, made of concrete and steel, is no less impressive.

In reality, however, there was never a bridge over the River Kwai. The so-called "Death Railway" runs parallel to the Khwae Noi but never crosses it. The bridge that attracts hordes of visitors actually spans the Mae Klong. After the film's release in 1957, when people flocked to Kanchanaburi in search of "the bridge," local authorities renamed a section of the Mae Klong "Khwae Yai" (Great Khwai).

This bridge – whether called Mae Klong, Khwae Yai, or something else – was part of the Death Railway, which the Japanese built during World War II using forced labor from prisoners and enslaved people. In fact, two bridges were built across the river at this location. A wooden bridge – similar to the one shown in the film (which was actually filmed in Sri Lanka) – was built first, about 100 meters upstream from the current bridge, to expedite the construction of the railway line on the other side of the river. The main bridge, made of concrete and steel, was added later in the war as soon as steel became available. Both bridges were bombed by Allied aircraft toward the end of the war. The square bridge spans are postwar replacements. The original wooden bridge was badly damaged after the war because its massive structure obstructed the flow of the river.

In the province of Kanchanaburi, a light and sound show and a fireworks display take place annually as part of the "River Kwai Bridge Week" and the Kanchanaburi Red Cross Fair.

• Dates: Annually from November 27th to December 7th (please refer to the respective event schedule).

• Location: The bridge over the River Kwai and the area next to the Kanchanaburi Provincial Government Building, Tha Makham Subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province.

• Admission: Free (no entrance fee).

Light and sound show and fireworks spectacular

• Daily performance from 7:00 PM to 7:40 PM. An additional special performance takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM. (Note: On December 4th and 5th, the light and sound show will be replaced by a *Khon* performance [mask dance] or a *Lakhon Nok* performance [traditional Thai folk drama].)

• Fireworks: Following the light and sound show, presented under the motto "The light of royal goodness shining over the River Kwai".

• Parades, flower floats, singing competitions, a beauty pageant called “Miss Peace”, concerts by various artists and a Red Cross fair with an international market.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is located in the Tha Makham subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, and is an important historical monument from the Second World War. It is open to the public free of charge every day.

Nearby attractions (within a few kilometers):

1. War Art Gallery and Museum

Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi

• Distance: Approximately 100 meters from the bridge

• Details: Contains exhibitions with photographs and artifacts from the time of the Second World War.

2. “Hiw A Di” (Hungry?) – Market in the prisoner-of-war camp

• Details: A market with food, snacks, souvenirs and regional products.

3. Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (Museum)

• Distance: Approximately 2.5 kilometers

• Details: A historical information centre about the construction of the “death railway”, with replicas of the living conditions of prisoners of war.

4. Allied War Cemetery Don Rak

• Distance: Approximately 2.6 kilometers from the bridge

• Details: A large cemetery containing the graves of Allied prisoners of war who died during the construction of the "death railway." A shady and peaceful atmosphere.

• Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers

• Details: A viewpoint along the Mae Klong-Khwae River, offering an elevated view of the city of Kanchanaburi.

• Distance: Approximately 2.8 kilometers

• Details: An old Buddhist temple in the Vietnamese (Annamite) style with exquisite architecture and significant historical value.

7. Kanchanaburi Railway Station

• Details: The city's main train station; a place to watch arriving and departing trains or to buy tickets for onward travel to Tham Krasae (the Death Railway).