Thailand – Laos Travel: Day 7 – Part 2 – Sales Bazaar and JEATH War Museum

Continued from Thailand – Laos Travel: Day 7 – Part 1 – Morning Atmosphere at Rainbow Guesthouse. For pre-travel, please refer here.

On the side of the road where we stopped earlier, there was a row of shops selling various kinds of souvenirs, earrings, bracelets from stones, earrings and so on. Those who are interested in shopping can visit here.

The location of the street where there is a row of shops.

It is divided into two sections. At the back, there are shelves and tables for sales involving food. I found that there are also different types of biscuits, cakes, chips and others. Because we are lazy to go through the boxes one by one to find the halal logo, we just passing by this section.

While entering the second section, we saw a lot of stone bracelets for sale. I asked the seller, she said it’s a ‘Burma stone’ that is originated from the country of Myanmar. The price offered is THB100-150 for 3 or 4 bracelets.

Tatie just tried it and not buying it yet because in this area there are almost 20 similar booths that sell stone bracelets. Finally, in one of the booths on the outside of this bazaar, we were offered THB100 for 4 stone bracelets. We bought up to 8 bracelets to be given as gifts to family members when we got home later.

At the back of where I was standing, if you noticed that there was a yellow van. There is a Muslim shop in front of it. I will tell the story in the next post.

Not having a chance to see windmills in the Netherlands? You can see them here. After I observed this picture, I was just aware that there was a “0 KM” sign. The sign that we have arrived at kilometer zero starting from Kanchanaburi. Is it really a landmark or just an exhibition?

As it was still early at 9.47 am, we stepped towards the main road to head to the JEATH War Museum.

JEATH War Museum can be said to be a must-visit museum when visiting here. It is a major museum of the history of the Death Railway in Thailand built from 1941 to 1943 by prisoners of war from allied countries and its construction was directed by the Japanese army as part of a railway project linking Thailand and Burma (Myanmar).

It was founded in 1977 by the chief monk of Wat Chaichumpol Venerable Phra Theppanyasuthee. If you step on The Bridge On The River Kwai, at the end of the bridge there is a temple with a tall statue next to it. That’s the Wat I’m talking about.

The acronym for JEATH means a combination of the names of the races/countries involved in the construction of the Death Railway namely Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Dutch, while the official name in Thai is Phíphítháphan Songkhram Wát Tâi (Wat Tai War Museum).

The museum is divided into two sections. The first section displays photographs of the construction of the Death Railway and the second section is the reconstruction of a bamboo hut which displays drawings, sketches and photographs of prisoners of war (POWs), weapons, equipment and even old maps.

Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to take pictures in the area of the first section of the museum.

One of the old trains is on display here. It uses a steam engine and works on steam energy.

Overall view of the old train head. The large flag that was hung was the Japanese flag and most likely this Japanese-made train was used firstly.

Somehow, when I saw this picture, I noticed there was an old car on top of the train. Probably because I was busy researching the design of the old train. Hey Zaris ….. that car on top is big enough and you even didn’t notice it? 🙂

It is stated on the notice board that during World War II, this train was used by the Japanese to transport ammunition for the plan to expand the colony to Burma (Myanmar) and India. But at the end of the plan, they failed…

Since I can’t take pictures, I plan not to go into this museum. The tickets are not very expensive, about THB40 (MYR5.00). Through the comments I read on Tripadvisor, many advised not to enter. Probably because the story of this museum is too overrated.

Payment counter. Indeed, the counter staff looked at us just like they didn’t like it when we started to leave this place.

Photographing the memories here before shifted on to another place.

Ok, this is what is on display inside which is:

1. Burma-Thai War Museum.
2. Construction of the second building of the museum.
3. Ore and gems.
4. Banknotes, coins and watches.
5. Photographs of weapons and other related equipment.
6. Reconstruction of the old prison.
7. Miniature model of the first bridge before being blown up by World War 2 allies.
8. Exhibition of prehistoric humans.
9. A library that houses pictures and old news.
10. Exhibition of old airplanes and helicopters.
11. Fragments of the first wooden bridge.
12. Toilet (this is also important for those who can’t stand to urinate …)

Let’s continue in another post …. I’m determined to finish writing about this trip as well because I don’t like to procrastinate…. ok click here … Thailand – Laos Travel: Day 7 – Part 3 – Muslim Restaurant and Memorial Monument in Kanchanaburi.