The River Kwai - Bridges and Rafthouses.

This famous bridge is about 4km (3miles) north from downtown Kanchanaburi, crossing the Kwai Yai river. It was brought from Java by the Japanese Army and was assembled at the River Kwai by the prisoners. Bombed several times in 1945, it was rebuilt after the war. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. An estimated 16,000 war prisoners and 49,000 forcibly recruited laborers died during the construction of the bridge and the Death Railway that leads to Burma.

Arriving at the jungle rafts I was greeted by young boys in dresses (sarongs) the traditional Mon Village People clothing. My hut was a wood, palm leaves and bamboo raft floating on the river. Accommodations were basic with comfortable bed, private balcony in the back with hammock, indoor plumbing, and a large front porch with picnic table, hammock and floating sundeck for swimming and sunning.

Primitive but very comfortable. A much needed respite from the noise and pollution of Bangkok. The Mon Village people are beautiful looking people, descendants of Burma and Thai ancestors. The Thai government doesn't recognize their heritage as they have no birth certificates and thus cannot get work permits to work in the city. Sadly they are stuck living in the mountains making money anyway they can, no state supplied education or healthcare, a non-people in the eyes of the Thai government. We arrived at dusk and quickly found out that there was no electricity. Lighting was provided by gas lamps and there was only cold water available for a shower,brrrrrrrrrrrr.