Richard AmmonKo Samui Island (photos 1-9) is Thailand’s third largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over 50,000 (2008). It is rich with natural resources, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees.
Bridge at River Kwai (photos 10-17) commemorates the 92,000 civilians and prisoners of war, including a number of New Zealanders and nearly 3000 Australians, who died at the hands of the Japanese military, a sign at the entrance of the museum states: "A life for every sleeper". At "Hellfire Pass", the prisoners of war worked 18-hour shifts to blast a passage through the mountains. From the top of the mountain ridge, the flickering torches looked like the fires of hell.
Gulf of Thailand (photos 18-27) Due to the tropical warmth of the water, the Gulf of Thailand harbours many coral reefs, and thus several diving resorts. Most popular for tourism is the island Ko Samui in the Surat Thani province.
