Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI

Kanchanaburi is Thailand's third largest province. It covers an area of 19,486 square kilometres, most of which is forested mountains. There are fertile plains around the meeting point of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai Rivers where the town is located. To the west, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar and has the Tanaowasi Range as its borderline.

Beyond the compact provincial capital, some 130 kilometres from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi unfolds in progressively arresting scenic beauty in a landscape characterised by several waterfalls, caves once inhabited by Neolithic man, national parks and tranquil riverside and reservoir settings. Many of its major attractions are also connected with the Second World War, and more specifically the years 1942 to 1945.

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Kanchanaburi is now composed of 13 districts (Amphoes): Muang Kanchanaburi, Tha Muang, Tha Maka, Phanom Thuan, Bo Phloi, Lao Khwan, Sai Yoi, Thong Pha Phum, Si Sawat, Sankhla Buri, Dan Makham Tia, Nong Pru and Huai Krachao.



The Bridge over the River Kwai

Internationally famous, thanks to several motion pictures and books, the black iron bridge was brought from Java by the Japanese Army and reassembled under Japanese supervision by Allied prisoners of war labour as part of the Death Railway linking Thailand with Myanmar. Still in use today the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during 1945, and was rebuilt after the war ended. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections.




Hell Fire Pass

This is a part of the Death Railway that was constructed during the Second World War using POW labor to cut through the mountain. The site is located in a thick forest near Km. 66 of the Sai Yok-Thong Pha Phum Road (Highway No. 323). Along a 4-kilometer walking trail made by the Allied prisoners visitors can envision the difficulties faced in constructing the Death Railway using simple tools. The pass is approximately 500 meters long and 26 meters deep. In 1943 Australian POWs employing hand drills, picks and shovels, baskets and dynamite completed it within six weeks.





The JEATH War Museum

This enclave in the riverside precincts of Wat Chaichumphon has been constructed largely in the form of an Allied Prisoners of War camp. The name JEATH is derived from Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand, and Holland. The thatched detention hut with cramped, elevated bamboo bunks contains photographic, and physical memorabilia dating from the Second World War. The museum is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.




Tiger Temple

Tiger Temple, or Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, is located in the Saiyok district, not far from the border with Myanmar, some 38 km north-west of Kanchanaburi along the 323 highway. It was founded in 1994 as a forest temple and sanctuary for numerous wild animals.




Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park - Tham Than Lot
97 Kilometres from Kanchanaburi, and north of Bo Phloi, along Route 3086, this 54-square kilometre park encompasses peaceful forests, waterfalls, and several caves. There is a 2.5-kilometre hiking trail along the stream which is laced with several small cascades. The stream flows through Than Loy Yoi and Than Lot Noi Caves which house beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.



Wat Tham Mangkon Thong

Situated 5 kilometers from town, the splendid temple is located in a cave which is only assessable via steps flanked by dragon carvings on both sides. The temple is well known for the incredible performance of a nun floating on the surface of a deep pool. A small museum displaying a variety of ancient objects found in the area is located nearby. Visitors can take buses from Kanchanaburi - Dan Makham Tia and get off at the temple.




Wat Tham Sua and Wat Tham Khao Noi


Located at Tambon Muang Chum, 4 kilometres beyond Wachiralongkorn Dam, these two adjacent temples house very beautiful Thai and Chinese style buildings and a huge Buddha image situated on the mount.




Sangkhla Buri

This small settlement, some 225 kilometres from Kanchanaburi, edges on the northernmost extremities of Khao Laem Dam. The scenic 75-kilometre route from Khao Laem laregely parallels the reservoir passing several raft complexes and roadside cascades.




Sai Yok National Park
Sai Yok National Park this park encompasses the famous Kwai Noi River and contains some waterfalls and caves on the river bank.



Namtok Huai Mae Khamin
This waterfall with many beautiful cascades is located by the Sri Nakarin Dam, some 108 kilometres from Kanchanaburi. The 1-hour boat ride to the waterfall starts from the Tha Kradan Pier 12 kilometres from Sri Nakarin Dam. Many resorts in the form of raft houses are available at Tha Kradan.



Sri Nakarin Dam
69 kilometres from Kanchanaburi, and just 4 kilometres north of the Erawan National park, this massive structure marks the southernmost extremity of an extensive reservoir, which is part of yet another national park.



Huai Ongkot Royal Project
This is a site for the royal project which is planned to develop the infertile area around the Ongkhot basin. It is located at Tambon Somdet Charoen, Nong Phru district, 130 kilometres from Kanchanburi. The area also houses a Royal Residence and the excavation of Neolithic remains.



Tham Phra That
This cave is 10 kilometres north of Namtok Erawan. It contains monumental stalagmites and stalactites.



Erawan National Park

The national park is 65 kilometers from Kanchanaburi along Route 3199. The park, covering 550-square-kilometers, is the site of the seven-tiered Erawan waterfall, one of Thailands loveliest waterfalls. The second tier has a pool, which is ideal for swimming and is particularly picturesque. However, the most popular activity in the park is trekking. Bungalow accommodations and camping facilities and a daytime food market are available.




Elephant Trekking

Elephants in Sangkhla Buri are raised by Karen hilltribes for working purposes. When not working, they are available to tourists to ride. Some travel agents offer one-day elephant trekking in combination with rafting tours in the vicinity of Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla Buri.




Three Pagodas Pass

22 kilometres from Sangkhla Buri, this is a group of three similar pagodas which has been constructed as memorial for an important trooping route during the wartime of the Ayutthaya period. It also marks the rugged Thailand-Myanmar border and is the site of a small thriving border market. Visitors are allowed to enter the neighbouring Burmese settlement.




Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

On Saeng Chuto Road, opposite the Railway Station, it contains the remains of 6,982 prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the "Death Railway".




Chong Kai War Cemetery

2 kilometres south of town on the bank of the Kwai Noi River this occupies the former site of the Chong Kai prisoner of war camp. This second cemetery is more peaceful, attractively landscaped, and contains some 1,750 remains.




Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan
It is a complex of caves located in Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan Meditation Centre near a small mountain. Each cave has a specific name based on their characteristics; such as Tham Badan with knee-leveled water, Tham Phopu Ruesi, Tham Kaeo Morakot, Tham Keao Sawan Bandan, and Tham Kaeo with stalactites and stalagmites that glitter like a powder of diamond when light shines on them.



Sai Yok Elephant Village
Located at Mu 3 Ban Lum Phueng, Tambon Lum Sum and offering a 30-minute nature trek on elephant and rafting. There is a daily elephant show during 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. To get there, from Kanchanaburi, take the Sai Yok – Thong Pha Phum route for some 30 minutes to around Km. 45, or a train and get off at Wang Pho Station. Open daily during 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. For a group visit, please contact in advance. Tel. 0 3459 1255, 0 3459 1102, 08 1878 9979.