Kanchanaburi : Arresting scenic beauty. Forested mountains. Waterfalls. Pristine national parks. Tranquil riverine and reservoir settings. Leisure opportunities including jungle treks employing elephants and rafts. Historical associations dating from Neolithic times to the Second World War.
There are several compelling reasons for visiting Kanchanaburi.
Thailand's third largest province, Kanchanaburi covers some 19,473 square and oftentimes mountainous kilometres, and borders Myanmar (Burma) to the west of Bangkok. The compact provincial capital, some 130 kilometres, and a comfortable two hour drive from Bangkok, is both the site of the world-famous Bridge Over The River Kwae, immortalised in books and movies, and gateway to a region of rugged natural beauty. Countryside beyond the provincial capital is characterised by mountains and fertile river valleys (the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi) which have inspired the development of hydro-electric power, and where labyrinthine dam reservoirs provide further scenic elements to the province's natural beauty.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to Neighbouring Districts
Tha Muang
12 km; 12 km
Phanom Thuan
24 km
Tha Maka
30 km
Dan Makham Tia
30 km
Sai Yok
50 km
Thong Pha Phum
145 km
Sangkhla Buri
230 km
Si Sawat
102 km
Bo Phloi
40 km
Nong Prue
75 km
Huai Krachao
60 km
Lao Khwan
97 km
How to get there
By Car : From Bangkok, visitors can take a 2-hour drive along Highway No.4 (Phetkasem) via Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom, Ban Pong, Tha Maka, Tha Muang to Kanchanaburi.
For an alternative route, visitors can drive along Highway No. 338 from Bangkok to Nakhon Chaisi and then proceed along Highway No.4 to Kanchanaburi.
By Bus : Non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal every 15 minutes from 4 a.m.-8 p.m. The trip takes about 2 hours. Call :0 2434 5557 for more information.
There are 2 types of air-conditioned buses. Standard 1 buses (blue colour) leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal from 5 a.m. till 10.30 p.m. daily at twenty-minute intervals. Standard 2 buses (orange colour) leave at twenty-minute intervals from 5.10 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. daily. The journey takes 2 hours. Call: 0 2435 5012, 0 2435 1199 for more information.
By Train : Ordinary trains leave Bangkok's Thon Buri Railway Station (Bangkok Noi Station) every day at 7.35 a.m. and 1.45 p.m. for approximately 3 hour journey to Kanchanaburi. Call Thon Buri Railway Station at tel : 0 2411 3102 or Kanchanaburi Railway Station at tel: 0 3456 1052 or visit http://www.srt.motc.go.th.
The weekend special train leaves Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) at 6.30 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. For more information, call : 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020.
Bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchaburi :
Kanchanaburi is a sleepy town 150 km. west of Bangkok. Driving there is a pleasure as there is an excellent, scenic highway to travel on. Kanchanaburi is most famous for the 1950's world box-office hit movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai". After the film hit the screens around the world, tourists started visiting Kanchanaburi to see this amazing bridge.
Half a century ago, the bridge was a link in the infamous 415 km Death Railway joining Thailand with Burma. The Imperial Japanese Army in WWIT, employing Allied prisoners of war and local forced labour, built it. Over 80,000 laborers and 13,000 Aliied POW's and thousands of Japanece soldiers lost their lives during its construction.
River Kwai Bridge Week
Once a year from the end of November to the beginning of December a festival is held to commemorate the notorious establishment of the Death Railway and the Bridge Over the River Kwai during WWII. Activities a the fair include a historical and archaeological exhibition, folk shows, booths of governmental offices, products sale, entertainment, and a light and sound presentation.
What's To Do
There are spectacular waterfalls, river cruises, and jungle tours for nature lovers. For the foot-loose traveler, there is the thrilling 200 km drive through newly opened jungle areas to the Thai Myanmar border to visit ethnic Mon and Karen settlements. For sporty types, Kanchanaburi provides the best freshwater fishing grounds in remote jungle backwaters and stremas. Rafting in wild river, and for golfers, a host of world standard courses in pastoral countryside.
The jungle, the rugged terain, and wild rivers now combine to make Kanchanaburi the most rewarding toursit destination for nature lovers and sportsmen. A large area of the province has been decleared a national wildlife sanctuary, called Thungyai National Park, which remains one of the most pristine areas in the whole country. The sanctuary war recently listed as a world natural heritage site by the United Nations.
If you choose to stay overnight out in the wild, there are the floating hotels on rafts moored off the banks of the River Kwai in remote jungle areas. A night on a float hotel is an unforgettable experience. By nightfall, a hushed stillness settles over the jungle, punctuated only by occasional night bird calls.
The route to Kanchanaburi also passes the historic town of Nakorn Pathom with the world's highest Buddhist monument. Kanchanaburi city, itself a popular resort town, is on the bank of the picturesque Mae Klong River a the meeting point of its two tributaries - Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers. The city also serves, as overnight base for tourists to visit the province's many attractions besides the bridge on the River Kwai.
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