An introduction to Kanchanaburi |
The home of The River Kwai Bridge |
| Accessibility: By road, 128 km from Bkk by Highway 323. By rail 133 km from Bkk. |
The River Kwai Bridge |
| Kanchanaburi
is a large province (19,483.15 sq km) located 129 km to the
northwest of Bangkok. Bordering Burma and largely mountainous, Kanchanaburi
is rich in tourist attractions - natural, cultural and historical
which are concentrated in 5 of its 11 Amphur (districts) and 2 King-Amphur
(sub districts). The province is connected to Bangkok by railway
and 4-lane Highway 323. Some major points of tourist interest are described briefly from Amphur Muang up north-westwards as follows: Amphur Muang Kanchanaburi Bridge over the River Khwai (River Kwai), part of the Death Railway built by the Japanese Army in World War II at a cost of tens of thousands of human lives, mostly Allied POWs and forced labourers. War Cemetery behind the railway station, containing a total of 6,982 bodies of Allied POWs perishing during the construction of the Death Railways. There is another cemetery at Chongkai with the remains of 1,750 POWs. Wat Tham Suea & Wat Tham Khao Noi two pagodas, one Thai-style and the other Chinese, situated side by side on hilltop. Ban Kao Museum houses artefacts excavated from an archaeological site indicating that Neolithic men lived in the area some 4,000 years ago. Two war museums with collections of weapons, pictures and utensils, one at Wat Tai and the other beside the River Kwai Bridge. |
Amphur Saiyok Muang Sing Historical Park contains the ruins of Muang Sing, a Khmer-style castle about 800 years old, believed to be the westernmost outpost of the once powerful Khmer Empire. Khao- phang Waterfall, located at the end of the railway line, is easily accessible and is best visited during the rainy season from July to October. Saiyok National Park is where the famous Saiyok Yai Waterfall is located. Wildlife is plentiful, including the Kitti bat, the tiniest mammal species of the world. Daowadueng Cave is also inside the park. Rafting down the River Kwai Noi (Minor Kwai) is an activity popular with tourists because of the beautiful scenery along the river and the unpolluted river water. |
| Amphur
Si Sawat There are three national parks in this Amphur. Erawan
National Park, being the nearest, is the most popular among the
three. Its major attraction is a beautiful waterfall of the same
name, which has seven leaps covering a distance of 2 km. Si Nakharin
National Park also boasts a lovely waterfall named Huai Khamin,
which is near the northern end of a reservoir and can be reached
by boat as well as by road. Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park is
well known for its major and minor Tham Lot Caves, which a stream
passes through. Traitrung Waterfall is 40 minutes' walk away. |
|
Erawan Waterfall Amphur
Thong Pha Phum Khao Laem Pam, the site of a hydraulic power
plant, is also a holiday resort with a 9-hole golf course, tennis
court, guest home and motel accommodation and a scenic reservoir.
Pha That Waterfall is a large waterfall located in Si Nakharin National
Park. Hin Dat Hot Spring is nearby. Tourists may have a bath there. |
Amphur Sangkhlaburi Three Pagodas Pass at the Thai-Burmese border, through which the Death Railway extended into Burma and, a few centuries ago, Burmese troops invaded Siam repeatedly. There is a thriving border marketplace here. Wat Wang Wiwekaram contains a magnificent pagoda. A marble Buddha enshrined here is worshipped by Thais, Mons and Karens alike. |
