KANCHANABURI: A skywalk and a walking street have been opened as new tourist landmarks along the bank of the Kwae Yai river in Muang district of this western border province.

The govenment approved a budget to develop and beautify the Old Town sector on both sides of the Kwae Noy and Kwae Yai rivers which run through Muang district.

The glass skywalk, a 12-metre high and 150-metre-long walkway along the bank of the Kwae Yai river, is designed for tourists to take a view of where the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi rivers meet with two different colours of water and well as to take a full view of the city.

Along with the skywalk, the walking street lies along the same side of the Kwae Yai river - of "Bridge Over The River Kwai" fame -  complete with a public park and an open space for public activities.

Both are operated by the Muang Kanchanaburi Municipality.

An opening ceremony for the skywalk and the walking street was held on Saturday, chaired by governor Jirakiat Phumsawat.

The walking street opened on Saturday, and is open from 4pm to 10pm everyday.

The skywalk opened on Sunday, Sept 11.

From Monday-Friday, the skywalk is open six 'rounds' a day, with the number of tourists limited to 100-120 tourists each: 09.00-10.00; 10.00-11.00; 11.00-12.00; 15.00-16.00; 16.00-17.00; and 17.00-18.00 hours. An interval is held from 12.00-15.00 hours.

On weekends and public holidays, it is open from 09.00-18.00 hours, an hour for each round, without an interval.

The province hopes the new landmark will help spur tourism and provide local residents with a new space for recreation.

Bangkok Post