Kanchanaburi Information guide
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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