Thread: Kanchanaburi

Some Attractions of Kanchanaburi.

The Bridge Over The River Kwai
This famous bridge is located about 4kms. from T.A.T. office, on the bank of Kwai Yai river. It was brought from Java by the Japanese Army and was assembled at the River Kwai by the war prisoners. Bombed several times in 1945, it was rebuilt after the war again. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. An estimated 16,000 war prisoners and 49,000 impressed laborers died during the construction of the bridge and the death Railway line that leads to Burma.

War Museum
This is located near the River Kwai Bridge, displays the collection of weapons, tools and utensils of the Allied prisoners of war and Japanese soldiers during the Second World War.

The Jeath War Museum
Jeath stands for Japan, England, America, Thailand and Holland. The museum is reconstructed prisoners of war in the second world war during 1942-1943. The thatched detention hut with cramped elevated bamboo bunks contains photographic, pictorial and physical memorabilia dating from the Second World War. The museum is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Kanchanaburi Town Gate
This is the remain of Kanchanaburi town built in 1833 during the reign of King Rama III. It is located on Lak Muang Road near the meeting point of the Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi Rivers.



Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
This cemetery contains the remains of 6982 prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the 'Death Railway'. This is opposite the railway station.





Kanchanaburi Sound-And-Light Show
In late November and early December, Kanchanaburi has a week-long fair that features a nightly sound-and-light show celebrating the allied attack on the bridge over the Kwai River.

The Chong Kai War Cemetery
This is 2kms. towards the south from the town, on the bank of Kwai Noi River and occupies the formal site of the Chong Kai Prisoner of War Camp. This second cemetery is more peaceful, attractively landscaped and contains some 1,750 remains. This place can be reached by boats which are available at the pier in front of the town gate and also from the agent at the bridge.

Wat Tham Mangkon Thong
This is situated about 4kms. from the provincial city on the bank of the Kwai Noi River and is well known for the incredible performance of the nun floating in the deep pool. This temple is located in the cave high up from the ground the two sides of steps leading to the temple were carved in the form of dragon.

Wat Tham Phu Wa
This monastery is in natural surroundings, famous for meditation and is 15kms. away from the provincial capital. This is a beautiful cave with plenty of stalactites.

Somdet Phra Sri Nakarin Park
This is situated in Kanchanaburi Agriculture College, Tambon Nong Ya about 9kms. from the town and is also known as 'the Stone Garden' which abounds with stones of different sizes and shapes in its large area.

Wat Tham Sua And Wat Tham Khao Noi
This is located at Tambon Muang Chum, 4kms. beyond Wachiralongkorn Dam, these two adjacent temples house very beautiful Thai and Chinese style buildings and a huge Buddha image situated on the mount.

Wat Pa Lelai
This monastery is 18kms. away from the provincial capital. It is located at Tambon Lat Ya which once was an ancient border town involved in battles between the Thai and the Burmese during the Ayutthaya period to the early Bangkok period. Another nearby temple called Wat Khun Phaen houses a ruined pagoda dating back to the early Ayutthaya period.

Kanchanaburi Cultural Centre
This was built by the Thai Farmers Bank. The collection centre of human lifestyles from the past till the present is displayed at the Rajpatara Institute of Kanchanaburi, 14kms. out of town to the route to Sai Yok.

Ban Kao National Museum
The museum, some 35kms. from the town, was constructed beside a Neolithic burial site discovered by Dutch prisoners of war during the construction of the 'Death Railway'. Specimens of Neolithic remains are on display. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attractions in Amphoe Sai Yok
The Sai Yok district is 60kms. north of the provincial capital. Its landscape, generally rich in forests and mountains, is dotted with many natural attractions and historical places.

Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park
This ancient site is 43kms. out of Kanchanaburi on the bank of the Kwai Noi River. The principal structure, the Khmer Prasat Muang Sing (Tower of the City of Lions), is believed to have been the westernmost outpost of the Angkor-centred Khmer empire. A wide range of artifacts, including temple carvings, religious statues, implements and pottery shards indicate the once thriving city must have been inhabited from approximately the 12th to 14th centuries.

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
This is also known as Khao Phang Waterfall, 60kms. from the town, this roadside cascade is best visited between July and September, when water is more plentiful. Visitors can take a train from town to Nam Tok station and continue by local transport to the waterfall, which is 2kms. away.

Hell Fire Pass
A part of the Death Railway constructed during the Second World War and now abandoned, is located in the thick forest near 66kms. of Sai Yok Thong Pha Phum Road. A long passage made through the stone mountain by the Allied prisoners indicates the extreme difficulty in constructing the Death Railway.

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall
This is 104kms. from Kanchanaburi and can be reached either by boat or by car. This flows directly into the Kwai Noi River and is the most popular attraction in Sai Yok National Park.

Lawa Cave And Daowadung Cave
Both caves are situated beside the Kwai Noi River and can be reached by hired boat from Pak Saeng Pier. The dark caves house numerous salactites and stalagmites. They offer an existing adventure.

Attractions in Amphoe Thong Pha Phum
Thong Pha Phum is 159kms. north of the provincial capital. Besides limestone waterfalls, which are the major attractions in the area, an overnight stay in comfortable resorts or raft-houses also offer a relaxing holiday for visitors.

Khao Laem Dam
This hydro-electric dam is situated on Kwai Noi River, 6kms. north of Amphoe Thong Pha Phum and about 165 kms. north of Kanchanaburi. The dam, 1019 metres long and 92 metres high, forms a scenic reservoir extending to the north towards Sangkhla Buri district.

Kroeng Krawia Waterfall
This roadside waterfall, 32kms. north of Thong Pha Phum, is often visited by passers-by. The water cascades down a limestone rock face under shady trees. It is most beautiful during rainy season.

Dai Chong Thong Waterfall
This is rather a large waterfall which cascades down towards the Khao Laem Dam. Travel 2kms. beyond Kroeng Krawia Waterfall, then turn left and go on for 6kms a way to Dai Chong Thong Waterfall.

Pha Tat Waterfall
The huge waterfall in the area of the national park is easily accessible. Visitors can travel north of Thong Pha Phum along Route 323 and turn right at 105kms. and then go on for 12kms. to the waterfall.

Hin Dat Hot Spring
This hot spring with a pond for bathing is at 107kms. of Route 323 or 2kms. beyond the entrance to Pha Tat Waterfall. It was discovered beside the stream by a Japanese soldier during the Second World War.

Thung Nang Khruan Waterfall
This waterfall is at Tambon Chala, 15kms. away from 26kms. of the Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri route. Visitors should travel with a leader to the waterfall.

Pilok
It is some 70kms. west of Thong Pha Phum on Route 3272, there was once a lot of mining of wolfram and tin in the Tanaosi Mountain range marking Thai Burmese border. Nowadays, temperate fruit and decorative winter plants can be seen and bought at Pilok and the villages enroute. Visitors are advised to take four-wheeled drive cars for travelling along this route.

Attractions in Amphoe Sangkhla Buri
This small settlement, some 225kms. from Kanchanaburi, edges on the northernmost extremities of Khao Laem Dam. The scenic 75kms. route from Khao Laem largely parallels the reservoir passing several raft complexes and roadside cascades.

Wat Wang Wiwekaram
This extensive temple is on the southern outskirts of Snagkhla Buri edges on Khao Laem Dam. This complex is constructed in an unusual mix of Thai, Indian and Burmese Buddhist architectural styles and the abbot "Luang Pho Uttama" is highly revered among local people, including tribal folk and Burmese.

Mon Bridge
This is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand linking Sangkhla Buri and Mon villages. The bridge overlooks a scenic landscape and offers an opportunity to see the local peoples' way of life.

Three Pagodas Pass
Twenty two kilometres from Songkhla Buri, the three miniature pagodas are memorials of an important route of the troops during the wartime of the Ayutthaya period. It also marks the rugged Thai-Myanmar border and is the site of a small thriving border market. Visitors are allowed to enter the neighbouring Burmese settlement.



Takhian Thong Waterfall
Travel along the route to the Three Pagodas Pass, then turn left at the junction and go on for 10kms. and take another 40 minutes walk to the falls. Visitors are advised to use a four-wheeled drive car due to the road conditions.