Great experience and guide - Wow. What a wonderful day and experience it was. Our guide was so informative the whole way. We learnt a lot. I would definitely recommend this trip.

When will we learn? - Eye opening experience about the horrors of building the bridge over one of the rivers Kwae. Definitely not the sanitized Hollywood version that did not truly tell their story. British, Australian & Dutch suffered incredibly and many died. Unknown to me though were the over 200000 SE Asians who were pressed into service. 10s of thousands of them died as well. Our guide Ken made sure we had time to see everything. He also knew where to seat us on the train and the best photo spots.

Do not miss “Bridge Over the River Kwai”!! - Mr. Ken (our guide) and Mr.Yoon (our driver) made the last day of our 3 week vacation a very memorable one. History, especially as it pertains to WWII, is a great area of interest to us and this was a must-see. I had requested Mr. Ken based on other reviews and was not disappointed! Showing up at our hotel right on time, our driver was very competent and transported us in a very clean van stocked with plenty of cold water and snacks! Mr. Ken made sure we got on the train and had the perfect seats for the 1-hour ride! Making sure that we visited the cemetery and both museums/interpretative center, Hellfire Pass, the bridge, and the waterfalls as well as having a delicious lunch and lots of photo opportunities made it a perfect day. Having been in Bangkok for a few days, it was so nice to see the countryside and visit the westernmost province. It is obvious that Mr. Ken is very knowledgeable and was so excited to share with us! I cannot say enough about our experience and how thankful we were to conclude our magnificent trip to SE Asia with this day. (Be sure and pull up the song from “Bridge Over the River Kwai” and play it as you walk the bridge!) Thank you Viator, Ken, and Mr. Yoon.

Amazing Asia Tours - Bridge over River Kwai recommendation - Amazing Asia tours recommendation My husband and I booked a private tour with Amazing Asia tours. https:// www.amazingasiatours.com/ thailand/central-thailand/ bangkok/erawan-waterfalls-and-bridge-over-the-river-kwai An emotive, moving, enthralling journey through a dark time for South East Asia. We were fortunate to have Ken as our guide who conveyed the stories and the suffering of so many with dignity, compassion and a historical knowledge of the time and events. A poignant and educational experience. Would recommend Amazing Asia Tours - and ask for Ken if you can.

Highlight of our Visit to Bangkok – Kwai Bridge and Hellfire Pass - As a military history enthusiast, visiting the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Death Railway has always been on my bucket list. Honestly, I never thought I’d have the chance to see it in person. So, during our visit to Bangkok, booking the Bridge over the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass with Train Ride Tour was one of the first things we did. Our decision to go with this operator was largely influenced by glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. Another key reason was the inclusion of Hellfire Pass in the itinerary – a site that should not be missed if you’ve come this far. Along with the new Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, funded by the Australian government, it’s a deeply impactful experience and beautifully presented given the somber history. The tour operator promised to pick us up at our mid-town Bangkok hotel at 7:00 am. We were ready and waiting outside just before the appointed time when our guide (Tonya – apologies for not knowing the correct spelling) arrived. She greeted us warmly, confirmed our details, and ushered us into a spacious, air-conditioned van. As it turned out, we were the only couple who booked the tour that day, making the experience feel like a private excursion with our own guide and driver. It was a genuine privilege. During the journey, Tonya shared fascinating insights about local customs, traditions, and culture. She was more than happy to answer our many questions about everything from schools and food to social norms. Meanwhile, our driver kept his focus on the road, ensuring a safe and comfortable ride. Kudos to him for his professionalism! Our first stop was the JEATH Museum, which features a replica of the prisoner enclosures used during the railway’s construction. The museum also includes maps and detailed accounts of the railway’s history. Next, we visited the beautifully maintained Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the final resting place for many young POWs who perished during the railway’s construction. Standing there amidst the rows of graves was a truly solemn and moving moment. Then came the highlight: the iconic bridge and a train ride along the Death Railway. The natural beauty of the area took us by surprise; the scenery was absolutely stunning. The bridge itself is fascinating, especially when you learn about the prisoners’ harrowing construction efforts. The center spans, built with flat-top box trusses, contrast with the curved-top trusses of the remaining bridge. This difference is due to Allied bombing during the war, which destroyed the bridge’s center. It was rebuilt after the war, preserving its historical significance. The train ride, covering approximately 20 miles, was delightful. We enjoyed scenic views of local farms, including fields of tapioca, a popular crop in the region. The train was packed with tourists, adding to the lively atmosphere. Our next destination was Hellfire Pass and the excellent museum built by the Australian government. The museum offers a deeper understanding of the construction methods, hardships, and tragic deaths endured by the prisoners. A short walk down the steps leads to the old railway bed and Hellfire Pass itself. Walking through the pass was a deeply emotional experience; you could almost feel the presence of those who suffered there. It’s a must-visit site and a stark reminder of why this entire project is considered a war crime by the Empire of Japan. On our way back, we made a quick stop at a nearby waterfall for some photos before returning to our hotel. While the day was long, it was worth every moment. The tour was impeccably organized and delivered a rich and meaningful experience. Highly recommended!

Hellfire & Kwai tour - Fantastic, very emotional tour, the guide Kent and driver Sake were excellent. The information supplied by Kent throughout the tour was fascinating & informative. Kent knows where to be at the right time for photo opportunities. Lunch was good. I would highly recommend booking a private tour with this company, you will not be disappointed it is like being shown around by a local friend.

Great Experience 🇵🇭🇬🇧 - Had an amazing day with our tour guide Ken & driver Ywon, we couldn't wish for a better service. Ken speaks very good english and he is very informative with his outstanding knowledge & understanding about the history. We felt very safe with Ywon’s driving as he is not an aggressive driver. The car was clean and comfortable too. Both are very polite, punctual & very accommodating. We would Highly recommend to look for them both when booking the tour.

What a day!! - Miss diamond was amazing!!! She was so informative and helped us get the most amazing photos. She went out of her way to insure we had the most perfect day. If you book her you won’t be disappointed.

Excellent tour - This is an unmissable tour if you are in Bangkok for a short time. The history, the sadness of the story, was all part of the experience. The guide and the driver were just brilliant. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Viator has come through with flying colours. Again!

Thank you, Kanthad, for a wonderful day. - Our tour guide, Kanthad, made our experience visiting these significant sites more memorable, thanks to his depth of historical knowledge and excellent English. He was also punctual and flexible in considering our interests in each of the sites visited.