Death Railway & Wang Pho (Wampo) Viaduct at Tham Krasae
A curving wooden trestle viaduct clinging to a cliff above the Khwae Noi River, built in 1943 by POWs. The still-active line and adjacent Krasae Cave shrine are the most scenic stretch of the Death Railway.
- Category
- Historical Sites & Ruins
- Entrance fee
- Free to walk the trestle and visit Krasae Cave shrine; train fare on the Nam Tok line is roughly 100 THB for foreigners. As of 2026, confirm locally.
- Hours
- Walkable in daylight; scenic passenger trains pass a few times daily (check current State Railway of Thailand timetable).
- Best time
- Cool season Nov-Feb; ride the early or midday train for river views. Rainy season adds greenery but check schedules.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours at the site (half day with the train ride)
- Difficulty
- easy
About Death Railway & Wang Pho (Wampo) Viaduct at Tham Krasae
If you only do one thing on the Death Railway beyond the main bridge, make it this. The wooden trestle hugs a cliff above the Khwae Noi, and riding the still-active line along that ledge is one of the great rail experiences in Thailand. It's underrated precisely because most people stop at the crowded main bridge and turn back.
The walk along the sleepers and the little Krasae Cave shrine right next to the track are free, so you can take your time either side of a train. The setting does the work here, river on one side, rock on the other.
Best way to arrive is on the historic train itself rather than by car, so you feel the ledge from the carriage window. Mind your footing on the sleepers, they're uneven.
Highlights
- Riding the still-active line as it curves along the cliff ledge
- The wooden trestle viaduct above the Khwae Noi River
- Krasae Cave shrine right beside the track
- Big river views from the train window
- Far less crowded than the main River Kwai bridge
Tips
- Arrive by the historic train rather than car to get the full ledge experience
- Ride the early or midday train for the best river light
- Watch your footing walking the uneven sleepers of the trestle
- Check the current State Railway of Thailand timetable before you set out
How to get there
About 47 km NW of Kanchanaburi in Sai Yok. Best done by riding the historic train from Kanchanaburi/River Kwai Bridge station (~1.5-2 h) to Tham Krasae; also reachable by car/tour in ~1 h.