We’re all aware of the title of the film that made this bridge famous and brought it to attention in front of a much wider audience. But there is more here to be learned as well. To see the film is to scrape the surface of what actually happened, and if you visit Thailand you will have the opportunity to see the bridge itself.

The bridge is made from black iron, and it does indeed cross the River Kwai. It was constructed by prisoners of war back in World War II, and it was transported from Java under the supervision of the Japanese.

But while this bridge is still used by many people today, it is not quite the same bridge as was seen and built during the war. It was frequently under attack during World War II and this meant it sustained heavy damage. This led to a rebuilding effort taking place during the years after the war. If you visit the bridge today you will not be seeing the original. Only the end sections on either side remain from the original structure; the rest was rebuilt following the end of the war. However it still retains an air of mystery, drama and intrigue as you stand and imagine what it must have been like to construct it and heave it into place all those years ago.

The bridge has trains running across it regularly and you can get one of these trains to cross it yourself. The railway goes by the dramatic name of Death Railway, Kanchanaburi is the area you want to head for, but remember that while it is best known for the bridge itself, it has other sights and sounds you should experience as well.

There is a museum at Hellfire Pass for example, which is worth seeing as you can learn a lot more about the history of the area. As you can imagine there are memories, memorials and stories galore to be discovered, so make sure you uncover the true story of the Bridge on the River Kwai while you are in Thailand.