PAPILLON IMAGING-PHOTOGRAPHY: (In-)Famous Kwai Bridge

Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri....

It’s difficult to visit Thailand without realizing the genuine affection and admiration the Thai people have for King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. Banners proclaiming ‘Long Live the King’ and portraits and pictures of the Thai king and queen can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the land. Wherever you venture in Thailand, you are almost certain at some stage to pass a roadside placard with their image.

Yellow is the colour associated with the king’s birthday (a Monday) and is the reason why you will see so many Thais wearing yellow shirts, particularly on a Monday. King Bhumibol* and Queen Sirikit are seen as the mother and father of the nation and their charity work and special projects have been extremely popular and influential throughout their long reign.

The hidden truth behind the bridge on the River Kwai: history rewritten

This famous bridge, is really only famous due to the movie. One that the book’s author, French writer Pierre Boulle, had based here as he presumed the river Kwai ran north of Kanchanaburi town. He was wrong; it was the river Mae Klong. And so this is actually “The Bridge on the River Mae Klong”.

In the 1960′s during the release of the Blockbuster movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai”, the river Mae Klong was renamed Khwae Yai River or River Kwai. Purely to associate it with the movie, and the droves of tourists heading there.

Add to all this the fact that the movie was actually shot in Sri Lanka, and it really makes for a bizarre history in its own right. But, in reality there is a very chilling real history to this railway line.

In 1942, Japanese forces had invaded Burma via Thailand and taken the then colony from the British. To keep supplies running to the area, and avoid their disadvantage at sea, the Japanese started the railway project in June 1942. Originally a concept of the British in the early 20th century, it was abandoned due to the harsh and difficult terrain. The Japanese had no intention to let this stop them.

Approximately 90,000 Asian laborers and 16,000 Allied POWs died as a direct result of the project. Of which 13,000 Dutch.....