Thailand Destinations - Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is located 130 km west of Bangkok, at the intersection of 2 rivers that converge into the Mae Klong River. It is a beloved traveler destination, although not a premier one. Maybe it should be, given the attractions and landscape it offers visitors. Its location at the edge of a mountain range also keeps it cooler than colse to provinces.

A visit here should be a must for nature lovers with its in fact accessible waterfalls and national parks. Excursions can be combined with an overnight stay at a riverside hotel, built on floating rafts at the river's edge.

Bangkok Tour

The area's claim to fame, of course, is the Bridge over the River Kwai, immortalized in the film of the same name. The Japanese brought the bridge from Java and it formed part of what became known as the Death Railway linking Thailand with Burma. Bombed by the Allies, the bridge was rebuilt after the war using the former curved spans of the bridge.

The area was under Japanese control in 1942 and used Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers to build the sublime 415 km railway in hellish conditions. Most of the Allied prisoners were Australians, Dutch and British and more than half of them died from disease such as malaria, maltreatment and accidents. After the war, nearly 7,000 soldiers were reburied at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, where they still bear recognize to a brutal and tragic ordeal.

The Hellfire Pass was reclaimed from the jungle as late as 1980s, funded as a memorial by the Australian Government. You can go on a self-guided walking tour that takes you on a descent through the jungle down to the Pass which was cut and blasted through rock by hand.

The railway itself was disbanded but you can still enjoy a train ride from Kanchanaburi to Name Tok railway station, a ride which crosses the sublime bridge.

Recommended activities contain boat rides on the river, swimming in pools near the animated waterfalls and relaxing with exotic Thai food and fruits at one of the riverside hotels. During the day, some of the following excursions are recommended.

The Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and the Jeath War Museum

Both are dedicated to the Bridge, the Death Railway and the soldiers who perished. The Jeath (Japan, England, Australia, Thailand and Holland) museum is built in the form of an Allied Prisoner of War camp and is managed by a Thai monk.

The Thai Burmese Railway Centre

This museum is dedicated to the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway.

Kan Kao National Museum

This national museum is located 35 km from Kanchanaburi overlooking the Kwai Noi River. The museum was constructed beside a Neolithic burial site discovered by an Allied Prisoner Of War During the building of the Death Railway. About 4,000 years ago Neolithic man lived, roamed and hunted here, sheltering under rock overhangs or in colse to caves. The museum houses skeleton remains, pots, axe heads, jewellery made from animal bones and other artifacts dating from that time.

Elephant's World

This is an elephant conservation camp that takes care of aged elephants established in 2008. The founder aims to give the elephants a place where they can enjoy their last days without having to work. The conservation camp is located in a beautiful spot next to the river and close to the Nichigo Golf Club about 30 km away from Kanchanaburi town. 

Thailand Destinations - Kanchanaburi