All will be relieved to know we didn't manage to get ourselves involved in the protesting although we did see the army mobilised following the shootings. Anyways we're out of that Bangkok hot bed for now. After a very early start from the lovely Tavee Guest House our train leaves about 30 minutes late. Plenty of people watching at the station and Adrian wobbles to a nearby market for breakfast.
The train journey to Kanchanaburi was delightful, pootling through towns and villages and paddy fields. At every stop a new vendor entered the fray selling all manner of edible goodies, breakfast for me this morning, noodles chillis and fish bits (eyes mainly I think) absolutely delicious and only 20p. We have decided that anything 'meaty' we can't identify is in fact toad, but that's ok, it tastes like chicken!
Kanchanaburi is a town of split personalities. On the one hand is a seedy bar and prostitution area whilst on the other is a clean and friendly town. Why Kanchanaburi? This town is alongside the River Kwai (pronounced square without the S) and the bridge built by prisoners of war under Japanese control. The bridge is a tourist hotspot for both foreigners and Thais. One cannot begin to understand the suffering the POWs went through working relentlessly in the heat on meagre food rations and the dreadful treatment of the Japanese soldiers.
In the nice part of town is a Cemetery tended by the War Graves Commission, absolutely immaculately maintained, containing some 6700 graves. Just like the cemeteries of northern France, a chilling reminder of the huge loss of life and suffering of so many. An excellent museum completes our education and leaves us feeling both sombre and thankful.
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