Best known in the West for being home to the Bridge on the River Kwai, the picturesque town of Kanchanaburi sits on the border with Myanmar. During World War II, Allied prisoners and slave laborers from across Southeast Asia were forced to build a bridge across the mighty river; toiling in inhuman conditions, thousands died - commemorated by an extensive cemetery and the JEATH Museum. Today, Kanchanaburi is pleasant and comfortable, located near a series of waterfalls and scenic national parks, and home to a number of diverse ethnic minorities. Notable sights include a train ride over the deadly Burma Railway, the source of much suffering during World War II and outdoor adventures along the Mekong and the area outside Kanchanaburi.