Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 9

Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 9
Early start today for tour - Bridge over the River Kwai and Tiger Temple
Driven 2 hours to Karchanaburi on River Kwai, first was a look around the museum of photos and drawings of prisoners of war and the conditions they lived and worked in during their forced labours to build the 415k Burma - Thailand railway, bridges and cuttings in 1942/3. The Japanese War Cabinet ordered the construction of the railway to supply its army in Burma (now Myanmar) following the defeat of its navy in the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The railway, planned and abandoned by the British years earlier and estimated by them to require 4 years to build, was completed in 15 months. The Japanese used 30,000 British, 18,000 Dutch, 13,000 Australian and 700 American prisoners of war plus an unknown number of Asian labourers from China, Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Singapore. 13,000 British, Australian, Dutch and Americans plus 70,000 - 90,000 Asians died. Malaria, dysentry, ulcers, cholera, starvation, exhaustion, falls from bridges, executions, beatings to death.
After the museum, into a small fast boat, only room for 5 in each, up the river to the bridge. The original wooden one has disappeared but the second one, made of steel and repaired after being bombed by the allies, is still in use. Also a tourist attraction. I was able to walk across the whole length of the bridge along the centre of the track - fotunately got back before a waiting train started to cross. Got some good photos.
(interesting footnote, I am hopeless with heights and this bridge was high above the water but I have much less of a problem when there is water below can anyone explain this?)
After bridge, lunch in a riverside restaurant - excellent. Interestingly, we learned from our guide ( a very attractive young lady) that the film 'Bridge over the River Kwai' is banned in Thailand - not sure whether due to inaccuracies or unacceptable content.
After lunch, we visited a huge cemetary containing thev remains and headstones of 7,000 of the pows who died. They were in sections, British, Australian, Dutch and American. Harrowing.

Then on to the Tiger Temple.Tigers on leads, Monks free to roam and tourists herded by keepers. Beautiful and impressive beasts (the tigers), lots of photo oportunities, got several of me hugging tigers, tried to get one hugging the guide but not allowed. 4 cubs, 3 asleep, 1 (the male) very active, free to roam with keeper close at hand, stalking goats and pigs . very entertaining. Given a tiger lead as a souvenier, this will be very useful in Bovingdon.
Another great day.
Evening, back to the same restaurant as last night for meal. Girls opposite very subdued this evening, all with hangovers I guess.
Best wishes to everyone,
John