Ayutthaya or Bridge Over River Kwai?

[Denverite]

We only have one day to tour outside of Bangkok and are considering either Ayutthaya or Bridge Over the River Kwai. I realize each are very different experiences and I have read reviews of each, but just wondered if anyone could see a preference of one over the other. We were considering the Bridge because we are later going to Angkor Wat and thought we might get "ruined" out, but Ayutthaya sounds fascinating. Any ideas?

[newfarmers]

We only have one day to tour outside of Bangkok and are considering either Ayutthaya or Bridge Over the River Kwai. I realize each are very different experiences and I have read reviews of each, but just wondered if anyone could see a preference of one over the other. We were considering the Bridge because we are later going to Angkor Wat and thought we might get "ruined" out, but Ayutthaya sounds fascinating. Any ideas?

 

we are going to ayutthaya this time. we have every intention of going back to Thailand (would be our third visit) and will do the tigers then. suppose it depends on what you are most interested in - history/ancient architecture or wildlife/spritualism

[Rasa Sayang]

Both have an individual attraction, but perhaps as you say, if you are goinig to Angkor you may get "ruined out".

 

In this case the River Kwai may well be the answer.

 

BTW it is nothing like the movle :p

 

The actual bridge is a modest structure, but the surrounding areas contain a few "gems" if you want to seek them out.

 

Before you get there you will come to the War Cemetery at Kanchanaburi and to walk among the graves of the POWs who died building the bridge and railway is a very sobering and sad experience.

 

http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Cemeteries/Kanchanaburi_War_Cemetery/

 

Downstream from the bridge [short boat ride] there used to be an underground Buddhist monastry which was well worth a visit.

 

There are couple of railway "passes" quite local, and to stand in one, see where the rock was dug out by hand, and visualize the hardships of the starving Australian, British, and Dutch POWs is also a very moving experience.

 

Enquire locally, and enjoy your trip. :)

[Klongmaster]

 

BTW it is nothing like the movle :p The actual bridge is a modest structure

 

The Bridge over the River Kwai gained worldwide attention when the fictional work of French author Pierre Boulle was made into a major motion picture of the same name.

Unfortunately, he had never been to Kanchanaburi or he would have known that the railway does not cross the River Kwai. It actually crosses the Mae Klong River.

When the movie – which was actually filmed in Sri Lanka - became popular, Thailand faced something of a problem because many tourists came to see the Bridge over the River Kwai and they didn't actually have one. So, with admirable lateral thinking, they simply renamed the river. The Mae Klong is now the Kwae Yai - Big Kwai - for several miles north of the confluence with the Kwae Noi - Little Kwai -, including the bit under the bridge.

 

 

Worth visiting for sure, but it's just a bridge...it's the history surrounding the area that makes it such a memorable experience...