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Floating Market & River Kwai (FM9)

Colourful flags on display at the JEATH War Museum in Kanchanaburi.
A train arrives at the Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market.
Paying respects at the Don Rak War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi.
Vendors selling fruits, vegetables, foods and drinks from their boats at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
The River Kwai Bridge with river flowing below and mountains in the background.

Description

  • 07:00 Pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and travel to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is located about 100km southwest of Bangkok in the Thai province of Ratchaburi. There are several floating markets with Damnoen Saduak Floating Market being the most popular and provides visitors with a distinctive shopping and cultural experience that takes place on and around the waterways.
  • You will take a ride in a paddle boat which is a great way to explore the floating market. Paddle boats are the ideal vehicle to navigate the busy waterways, allowing you to get a closer look at the colorful waterside market stalls and other passing boats and also engage with the traders. You will experience the dynamic atmosphere of the floating market with traders selling fruits, vegetables, foods, drinks, crafts and souvenirs from their boats and riverside stalls.
  • After the floating market you will travel to the Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market which is also called the Talat Rom Hup. The famous Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market is unique and is well known for its market location which is directly on operating train tracks. The fact that a train travels directly along the tracks where the vendors have set up their stalls numerous times each day is what makes this market so extraordinary. In order to make room for the approaching train the sellers quickly pull back their awnings, fold their umbrellas and move their wares out of the way. They promptly continue their operations and put their stalls back in their original locations after the train has passed. Fresh produce, fish, meats, vegetables, fruits, spices, snacks and regional goods are all available at this market. Additionally, visitors can purchase local handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs. The Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market has a lively ambiance and is located in a busy and dynamic setting.
  • After the Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market you will then travel to the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.
  • Lunch at local restaurant.
  • After lunch you will visit the River Kwai Bridge which is a historically significant bridge located in Kanchanaburi province. It is one of the major attractions in this region and holds great historical importance due to its connection to World War II. During the Second World War the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Thailand and used forced labor including prisoners of war and Asian laborers to construct a railway line connecting Thailand to Myanmar (then Burma). The construction of the railway was a grueling and challenging task given the difficult terrain and harsh working conditions. The section of the railway that crossed the Mae Klong River (also known as the Kwai Yai River) required a bridge to span the river’s width.
  • The River Kwai Bridge was built using wooden and concrete materials and was completed in 1943. The construction involved immense human suffering as thousands of laborers lost their lives due to the harsh conditions, maltreatment and disease. After the war the original wooden bridge was replaced with a stronger steel and concrete structure. Today the River Kwai Bridge stands as a symbol of the past and serves as a memorial to the thousands who lost their lives during its construction.
  • After the River Kwai Bridge you will visit the JEATH War Museum. The name JEATH is derived from countries engaged in the Death Railway construction from 1942 to 1945 (Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland). The JEATH War Museum displays photographs and illustrations narrating the living conditions of the prisoners of war (POWs) during that cruel time, some of which were donated by former POWs who survived.
  • After the JEATH War Museum you will then visit the War Cemetery also known as the Don Rak War Cemetery. The Don Rak War Cemetery is a solemn and significant memorial located in Kanchanaburi and serves as a final resting place for thousands of Allied prisoners of war who lost their lives during the construction of the Death Railway in World War II. The Don Rak War Cemetery is situated close to the River Kwai Bridge and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and contains the graves of over 6,000 Allied and Asian prisoners of war. Within the cemetery grounds there is a memorial building that displays the names of nearly 12,000 prisoners of war who died while working on the railway but have no known graves. The Don Rak War Cemetery is beautifully landscaped and provides a serene and peaceful environment for visitors to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifices made during the war.
  • 19:30 Return to your hotel.

** Guide times are approximate depending upon local traffic and weather conditions and can also be adjusted to suit your own personal requirements **

Tour includes

  • Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
  • English speaking local tour guide
  • All applicable entrance fees
  • Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
  • Paddle boat ride
  • Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market
  • Lunch
  • River Kwai Bridge
  • JEATH War Museum
  • War Cemetery (Don Rak)
  • Travel insurance
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