Apr 14, 2025
A Must Do! - A fabulous day. Packed full and full of different activities. Expect to learn a lot, but also to come back exhausted, physically and emotionally.
The day started with a 6 am pick up at the hotel, then a two hour drive out of Bangkok. Visited the cemetery first, then the war museum, and then took a fast boat to the famous bridge which was quite exhilarating.
After crossing the bridge by foot, we were driven to the most beautiful spot for an all you can eat Thai buffet. The lunch itself and the setting were stunning. The views of the river and mountains speak for themselves. It was unforgettable.
After lunch, a walk around the area and to the train station, for a 75 minute train ride on the famous, or infamous, Death Railway. The train ride was fabulous.
The tour guide, Rach, also looked after us really well. A great day that won't be forgotten.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 28, 2025
Educational without language frustrations ending with a fast way through Bangkok rush hour. - After seeing the movie as a kid I’ve always had it on my mind to learn more about this tragedy. I’ve read individual accounts but I never really comprehended the over all scope of the railroad and how it affected the Burma campaign.
Mr. Rach, our guide, was very knowledgeable and clearly explained why and brought to light the enormity of the project. He explained the tremendous stresses put on the POWs and on the 200,000 civilian slaves in terms of terrible working conditions, exposure to the elements, and constant 18 hour work days. Seeing how they built the railroad in 16 months when it was estimated to take 5 or more years makes me wonder how any laborers survived at all.
Mr. Rach also spoke and understood English making the tour frustration free.
At the end of the tour, Mr Rach arranged a subway route to get us back much sooner than any drive in Bangkok traffic would have ever allowed. Rather than spending our evening stopped in traffic we were able to enjoy a quiet bottle of wine with a wonderful dinner.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 16, 2024
Bridge over the River Kwai trip from Bangkok - What a great day. From start to finish this trip was Brilliant. We were picked up at 6am from hotel and taken to the Jeath Museum by mini bus. The tour is kept to a small group for convenience and comfort when travelling. The tour Guide Rach was amazing. He was full of historical knowledge.He took pictures and videos for us all too which help us all create new memories. The boat ride and Train ride were great. These were extra but well worth it. The train was upgraded to guarantee us a seat and you got water and a cake on board. We walked on the railway at the river kwai and then again at the end. The buffet lunch was plentiful and full of choice. All in all great day out
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 2, 2024
A sobering insight into the brutality of war - Informative trip which left a lasting impression of the human cost in building the railway.
Our guide Rach( sorry I forgot your name) was very knowledgeable and gave lots of background information and really brought alive what the prisoners had to endure to achieve the completion of the railway in an incredibly short period of time. He was also very good at ensuring everyone was OK, had enough loo stops and didn't get lost among the crowds. Our driver was also adept at negotiating the heavy Bangkok traffic with skill and care.
The trip was extremely well organised and I would highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 13, 2024
The River Kwai: a Must Journey -
The River Kwai Tour is a must and an extraordinary journey into one of the most poignant chapters of Thailand’s history while offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. The tour is meticulously designed, providing a seamless blend of historical learning and immersive sightseeing. The itinerary is thoughtfully laid out to give you ample time to explore iconic landmarks like the museum, Bridge over the River Kwai, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, and the Hellfire Pass, which serve as powerful reminders of World War II’s impact on the region.
What makes this tour truly remarkable is the balance between education and leisure. You’re not just visiting these historical sites—you’re experiencing them with context, guided by meaningful insights. As you walk along the remnants of the infamous Death Railway, you gain a deeper understanding and feel of the hardships endured by the prisoners of war who were forced to build it.
In addition to the historical aspects, the natural beauty of the River Kwai region is stunning. From tranquil boat rides along the river to scenic train journeys, the tour provides many opportunities to take in the lush, green landscapes that surround this historic area. The accommodations along the way are comfortable and well-situated, allowing you to relax and enjoy the serenity.
This tour isn’t just about seeing famous sites; it’s about understanding their significance, feeling the weight of history, and appreciating the natural beauty of the region. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and moving experience, the River Kwai Tour delivers on all fronts. The tour truly stands out as one of the best in Thailand.
A special shout out to our guide Loungoom, who was beyond exceptional. From the moment we met him, it was clear that he was deeply committed to ensuring every participant had an unforgettable and enriching experience. Loungoom has a rare gift for storytelling, bringing the history of the River Kwai to life in a way that is both educational and deeply moving. His knowledge of the region’s past is profound, and he conveys it with such clarity that you feel transported back in time. Yet, he does this with a sense of humor and ease that keeps the group engaged and entertained, never making the experience feel overwhelming.
What sets Loungoom apart is his attention to detail and genuine care for the group. He was constantly checking in to ensure everyone was comfortable, answering questions with patience and enthusiasm, and adapting the itinerary to meet individual needs or preferences. Whether it was recommending the best places to take photos, helping with dietary requirements, or ensuring we had ample time at each historical site, Loungoom’s dedication to providing top-tier service was evident.
Moreover, Loungoom has an incredible ability to connect with people. His warmth and kindness created a welcoming atmosphere, and it felt like we were being guided by a trusted friend rather than just a tour guide. He effortlessly handled logistics and made the entire experience seamless and stress-free.
If you want a tour where history is not just recited but truly felt, Loungoom is the guide you need. His ability to teach with passion, humor, and sensitivity, while being completely approachable and accommodating, makes him one of the finest tour guides I have ever encountered. Highly recommend Loungoom for anyone visiting the River Kwai.
Review provided by Viator
Aug 18, 2024
Wonderful day trip - Such a wonderful experience we had with Rach as our tour guide. Very educational and informative. Everything went well couldn't fault anything 😌. Will definitely recommend this experience as a day trip from bangkok. The lunch was also 👌🏾 lovely a nice taste of local food 😋.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 29, 2025
Dodgy Bus, Dodgy Driver. - Great, very interesting tour with lots to see and to learn about.
The guide was ( 00M ) was very helpful and knowledgeable.
Had a lovely Buffet lunch with wonderful views over the river.
The issue I had was the state of the Minivan it was to say the least rather old and in poor condition, the seats were ripped, some of the fittings were hanging off.
There was 8 of us on the tour in a 12 seater Minivan so we all had a bit of space to spread out a little, if the tour had been full then the journey would have be awful.
And on top of this the driver was weaving in and out of traffic switching from one labe to another, now he certainly was not the only vehicle doing this as it seems that by rule the standard of driving in Bangkok is terrible, but it made for a very uncomfortable journey especially on the way back to Bangkok
Review provided by Viator
Jan 20, 2025
Bangkok to River Kwai day trip - We were very disappointed with the vehicle booked through Trip Advisor to travel over 3 hours from Bangkok to the River Kwai. It was very shabby inside and very uncomfortable but our driver was superb.
The overall trip was very moving and such superb scenery but our guide was not very informative or friendly. On two occasions he made derogatory remarks to passengers.
We did have several comfort stops near shops and markets and we enjoyed a tasty buffet lunch. It was definitely worth the long trip to see the museum and memorials and for a ride on the death railway. Slightly disappointed overall but we didn’t let it spoil our trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 10, 2025
To avoid - To avoid, book on another cheaper site and be careful not everything is included we had to add 300 baths per person last minute to be upgraded (which is specified on other site).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 7, 2025
Death railway fiasco - Poorly organised trip, collected by driver and guide all ok but first guide was dropped off as only the pick up person and a new tour guide was collected from service station, he was obviously sick and was constantly blowing nose and taking medicine. He spent expended time talking loudly on his phone during trip, also slept for part of journey and spent time looking at females online on his ipad.
The train unfortunately broke down and we only knew what was going on by listening to other tour guides telling their clients what was happening, our tour guide gave us no indication what was going on. The train was able to be started but we were told our driver was collecting us to take us to the lunch so we had to disembark. By the time we drove to the lunch, the train was arriving so we missed the most important part of the trip. The tour guide gave no commentary or insight to the destinations, other tour operators were with their group and we listened to their information as our tour guide dropped us off and prearranged pick up times. We may as well have done a self guided tour.
When we were heading back to Bangkok we stopped to let the tour guide out at the service station where he left his car but were also told that we were going with the guide back to our hotel while the rest of the group were driven back by the driver.
We were transported in an old car, dirty and without seatbelts having been told that the seatbelts were 'unavailable and it's not far'. We felt uncomfortable and would have preferred to have been with the group or in a taxi but pressured to take the guide car.
The day was unprofessional, poorly organised and the important part of the trip was missed. We understand that the train broke down but it was working by the time we had to disembark and we weren't offered any option to continue the train journey but hurried off to a lunch instead.
Would not recommend this tour operator.
Review provided by Viator