Kwae

Kwae, often transliterated as Khwae or Kwae, is a Thai term meaning river or stream. In English-language references, it appears in several place names in western Thailand, especially in Kanchanaburi Province. The two principal rivers in that area are the Khwae Yai (Kwae Yai) and the Khwae Noi (Kwae Noi). Locally these waterways are known as the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi, and they are notable geographic features of the region.

A central historical reference associated with Kwae is the Bridge over the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi. The bridge was constructed during World War II as part of the Burma Railway by the Japanese military and later became famous worldwide through literature and film. Today the site is a major tourist and memorial location, with museums and preserved sections of the railway.

Etymology and usage: the term Kwae is native to Thai and is used primarily in toponyms to denote rivers or streams. The English transliteration Kwai is common in historical and popular contexts, as in The Bridge on the River Kwai. The variations Khwae and Kwae reflect transliteration choices rather than distinct meanings.

In summary, Kwae is predominantly a geographic term in Thailand, most prominently associated with the River Kwai and related landmarks in the Kanchanaburi area, and it is encountered in historical and touristic contexts.