Best known outside of East Asia for the horrific prisoner of war camps from the Second World War-era, made famous by the Oscar-winning Bridge over the River Kwai, starring Alec Guinness, few realise just how lovely a river and surrounding area this is. There are in fact two Kwai rivers, the Kwai Yai and the Kwai Noi that merge at Kanchanaburi, where the post-War bridge is located. There is much to see and do in the area with a steam railway, a tiger sanctuary, Buddhist caves and grottos and a clear fresh river that is clean enough to swim in.

Working with our Thai partners, we offer a short river expedition of just four nights, on a former Pandaw, that explores this area. A few hours drive from Bangkok, this is an attractive build-on to any South-East Asia itinerary.