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Bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Riverkwai_bridge#mediaviewer/File:Approaching_the_Riverkwai_bridge.jpg
eric molina
Kanchanaburi กาญจนบุรี
is a historic town and provincial capital of Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand. It is located at the confluence of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers forming the Mae Klong river. The town has been a regular destination of visitors on account of its place in history, as the site of the Death Railway, particularly the bridge over the River Kwai.
Kanchanaburi War Cemeteryhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanchanaburi_War_Cemetery.jpgNiels Mickers
In addition to historical interest, Kanchanaburi has in the last decade developed other tourist attractions. The town has a number of cave temples within its limestone cave system. There is also a Vipassana meditation centre in Kanchanaburi. A rather offbeat tourist attraction - and one that has become unfortunately commercialized - is the Tiger Temple.
Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Erawan_National_Park#mediaviewer/File:Erawan_National_Park,_Kanchanaburi,_Thailand_(355630091).jpgyeowatzup
Travel to Kanchanaburi
Many tourists arrive in Kanchanaburi on day packages from Bangkok, available from most travel agencies there. If you want to go there on your own, take the bus at the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Taling Chan) in Thonburi. The first class buses depart from its office at Thanon Saengchuto while the regular buses depart from the main terminal building. The 1st class buses take about 2 hours to reach Kanchanaburi and costs ฿99 one way, inclusive of one bottle of mineral water. The regular bus costs just a fraction less, at ฿95.If you are staying at Khao San Road, you can also take the tourist minibuses from there departing at 1:30 pm. If you are visiting Nakhon Pathom on the way, there are also buses from there to Kanchanaburi.
Travel within Kanchanaburi
Most of the sights are too spread out to make walking from one to another a practical option. That's one reason why going by a day package tour might sound like a good idea. In any case, if you are there independently, then take the songthaew or motorcycle taxis. Better yet, hire the same songthaew or motorcycle taxi to take you to all the sights for a fixed, pre-negotiated price.
Tiger Temple, Kanchanaburihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tiger_Temple#mediaviewer/File:Tigers_in_the_Tiger_Temple,_Thailand.jpgMichaelJanich
Places of Interest in Kanchanaburi
- Ban Kao: Prehistoric settlement.
- Bridge Over the River Kwai: The most famous attraction of Kanchanaburi, a site of interest particularly to war veterans and their offsprings.
- Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park: The smallest national park in Kanchanaburi.
- Chongkai War Cemetery: Another cemetery to the war dead located 2 km outside town.
- Erawan National Park: National park with Erawan Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. Entrance fee is ฿200 for foreigners.
- Hellfire Pass: A railway cutting that was famed for its cost in life. Now the pass is a memorial that you can visit with an audio walking tour.
- JEATH War Museum: Comprising the War Museum, World War II Museum and JEATH Museum, these are located 50 meters from the bridge. One fee gets you into all.
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery: Cemetery to the war dead located opposite the Kanchanaburi Railway Station.
- Pra That Cave: Cave in Kanchanaburi Province.
- Prasat Muang Sing: Ancient Khmer ruins that mark the westernmost frontier of the Khmer empire.
- Sai Yok National Park: National park with the beautiful Sai Yok Waterfalls.
- Sangkhla Buri: Small town and market center in Kanchanaburi Province, with a large Burmese and Mon population.
- Si Nakharin National Park: National park with a reservoir and waterfall.
- Sri Sawat: An area near Kanchanaburi with a few attractions including the Lumnam Jone waterway, where the River Kwai begins, the Pra That Cave, Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls and Tham Than Lot Cave.
- Thailand-Burma Railway Centre: Another place - some say the best - to learn about the Second World War in Thailand.
- Tham Than Lot Cave: Cave system in Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park in Sri Sawat District.
- Taweechai Elephant Camp: One of the largest elephant camps in Thailand
- Tiger Temple: Tigers aplenty but no temple to be seen, this is one of the usual sights in Thailand. Entrance fee is a hefty ฿500, but comes with a book on tigers. Do NOT wear bright yellow, pink or orange to visit this place.
- Wat Tham Khaopoon: Cave temple located 5 km outside Kanchanaburi town, past the Chongkai War Cemetery.
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