History Overview

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.

Tha Muang 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

Attractions
 

Ancient Town of Kanchanaburi Located at Tambon Lat Ya, 18 kilometres away from the provincial capital, this ancient border town involved in battles between the Thai and the Burmese during the Ayutthaya period to the early Bangkok period. Several ruins are found in Wat Pa Lelai, Wat Khun Phaen, Wat Mae Mai and Wat Nang Phim
 

Ban Kao National Museum Some 35 kilometres from Kanchanaburi and overlooking the Kwae Noi river, the petite Ban Kao National Museum was constructed beside a Neolithic burial site discovered by an Allied POW during the construction of the ‘Death Railway’. Some 4,000 years ago, Neolithic man lived, roamed and hunted beside the Kwae rivers, sheltering beneath rock overhangs or in nearby caves. The Ban Kao museum houses skeletal remains, pots, axe heads, jewellery made from animal bones, and other artefacts dating from that period.

It is open Wednesday-Friday except public holidays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is 30 baht. Call 0 3465 4058 for more information.

Kanchanaburi Cultural Centre The collection centre of human life styles from the past till the present is displayed at the Rajabhat Institute of Kanchanaburi, 14 kilometres out of town on the route to Sai Yok. It is open daily from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.

Kanchanaburi Town Gate This is the remain of Kanchanaburi town built in 1831 during the reign of King Rama III. It is located on Lak Mueang Road near the meeting point of the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi Rivers.Chong Kai War Cemetery A second cemetery, on the former site of riverbank Chong Kai POW Camp, contains some 1,740 remains in an equally immaculate and exceptionally tranquil and verdant setting.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak) The immaculately maintained Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, opposite the main railway station on Saeng Chuto Road, contains the remains of 6,982 Allied POWs who perished during the construction of the ‘Death Railway’. An estimated 12,339 Allied POWs, and between 70,000 and 90,000 forced Asian labourers, including many Thais, died during the construction of the ‘Death Railway’ and the bridge over the River Kwae. It is believed that one out of every five people who laboured on the railway perished during its construction.

Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Situated in Kanchanaburi’s Agricultural College at Tambon Nong Ya, 9 kilometres from town, it is also known as “the Stone Garden” which abounds with stones of different sizes and shapes. 

The Bridge Over the River Kwae The major landmark is the black iron bridge spanning the Khwe Yai river which was brought from Java by the Japanese army and reasssembled under Japanese supervision by Allied prisoner-of-war (POW) labour as part of the ‘Death Railway’ intended to link Thailand with Myanmar. Still in use today, 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.

World War II-vintage steam locomotives, and a peculiar hybrid road/railcar from the 2 same era, comprise a small open-air Railway Museum on the bridge’s eastern approach.

Each year, late November and/or early December, the world famous bridge becomes the focal point of celebrations. Highlights include exhibitions and historical and archaeological displays; a carnival featuring sideshows, roundabouts, folk entertainment, and cultural performances; rides on trains hauled by World War II vintage steam locomotives; and a nightly light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge's Second World War history, including an Allied bombing raid.

The JEATH War Museum The JEATH War Museum comprises another reminder of the wartime past. The enclave, in the riverside precincts of Wat Chaichumphon, has been constructed in the form of an Allied POW camp. The name JEATH is derived from countries inextricably associated with the years 1942 through 1945, namely Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland. The thatched detention hut with cramped, elevated bamboo bunks, contains photographic, pictorial and physical memorabilia dating from the Second World War. POWs who survived the ordeal have donated items from that period to substantiate the museum’s authenticity.The museum is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission fee is 30 baht.

The Nine-Army Battle Historical Park Lacated at Tambon Chong Sadao, some 40 kilometres from town on Highway No. 3199, the Nine-Army Battle Historical Park was initiated by the Royal Thai Army to commemorate the great battle under the command of King Rama I, in defense of the kingdom against the aggression of King Bodawpaya of Burma in 1795. The Historical Study Building houses historical data involving this great battle, a sand table displaying battlefields and dioramas showing the battle strategy. It is open daily from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Call 0 3458 9233-5 ext. 1122 for more information.

War Museum The museum, located near the River Kwae Bridge, displays the collection of weapons, tools and utensils of the Allied POW and Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. It is open daily from 8 a.m.-6p.m. Admission fee is 30 baht.

Wat Tham Mangkon Thong Situated 5 kilometres from town, the temple is well known for the incredible performance of the nun floating in a deep pool. There is a small museum where a variety of ancient objects found in the area are on display.

Visitors can take a Kanchanaburi - Dan Makham Tia bus and get off at the temple.

Wat Tham Phu Wa The monastery in natural surroundings, famous for meditation, is 15 kilometres away from the provincial capital. There is a beautiful cave with plenty of stalactites. Get to KANCHANABURI

How to get there

Car

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.

Bus

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.

Train

By Rail: 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. 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.

Travel within KANCHANABURI

Transportation within the provincial capital is most enjoyable on tricycles. Tricycles can be hired at reasonable rate, enabling visitors to see the Bridge over the River Kwae, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the waterfront Song Kwae Road area, and the JEATH War Museum in one circuit.

Transportation between the districts is also convenient by regular bus. Call Kanchanaburi bus terminal at tel: 0 3451 1387 for more information.

For visitors who like to drive by themselves, motorcycles or jeeps can be rented on a daily or weekly basis at several outlets on Saeng Chuto Road and around the Song Kwae Road area.

Essentially, there are two major land routes for exploring the main conveniently accessible tourist attractions in Kanchanburi. The more western Route 323 largely parallels the Kwae Noi River to Sangkhla Buri District (some 230 kilometres from the provincial capital) via Sai Yok, Thong Pha Phum, and Vajiralongkorn Dam. Route 3199 follows the Kwae Yai River to Srinagarindra Dam (69 kilometres away from the provincial captital).

Besides the network of roads throughout the provincial area, the railway and the waterways which stretch through the heart of town also offer comfortable and alternate trips to out-of-town attractions. Travelling by train from Kanchanaburi to Namtok Station near Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is recommended for visitors wishing to experience trips on the historic railway. Trains leave Kanchanaburi Railway Station 3 times daily at 6.11 a.m., 11 p.m. and 16.37 p.m. and stops at the Bridge over the River Kwae, Tha Kilen (near Mueang Sing Historical Park), Tham Krasae, Wang Pho and ends at Namtok Railway Station. For more information, call Kanchanaburi Railway Station at tel: 0 3456 1052

From the Pak Saeng Pier in Tambon Tha Sao, visitors can hire a boat with a carrying capacity of 10-12 persons to visit the Lawa Cave and Sai Yok Yai Waterfall. It takes around 4 hours for the return trip. The 1-hour boat ride to Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall starts from the Tha Kradan Pier, 12 kilometres from Srinagarindra Dam.

Visitors are advised to check with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s office in Kanchanaburi for prevailing rates and the availability of alternate methods of transportation such as on public holidays and weekends.

(Courtesy by Tourism Authority of Thailand)