| |
|
|
|
|
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 Kwai, 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. HOW
TO GET THERE
By Car : From Bangkok, visitors can take a 2-hour drive along Highway NO.4 (Phetkasem) via Nakhon Chaisri, Nakhon Pathom, Ban Pong, Tha Maka, to Kanchanaburi. For an alternative route. visitors can drive along Highway NO. 338 from Bangkok to Nakhon Chaisri and then proceed along Highway NO.4 to Kanchanaburi.
By
Rail : Ordinary trains leave Bangkok's THON
BURI RAILWAY STATION (Bangkok Noi Station)
every day at 07.35 AM. and 13.45 PM. 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 call our company 0 7639 6694 or 0 9871 9383
TRAVEL
WITHIN KANCHANABURI :  THE
BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI : The major landmark
is the black iron bridge spanning the Kwae Yai river which was
brought from Java by the Japanese army and reassembled under Japanese
supervision by Allied porisoner-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 invintage
steam locomotive, and a peculiar hybrid road/railcar from the
2 same era, comprise a small open-air Railway Museum on the bridge's
eastern approach.WAR
MUSEUM : The museum, located near the River Kwai
Bridge. displys the collection of weapons, tools, and utensils
of the Allied POW and Japanese soldiers during the Second World
War. It is open daily from 08.00 AM. till 18.00 PM. Admission
fee is 30 THB.
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, manely
Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland. The
thatched detention hut with cramped, elevate 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 08.30 AM. to 18.00 PM. Admission fee
is 30 THB.
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 Muang Road near the meeting point of the Kwae Yai and Kwae
Noi Rivers.
RAIL TRIPS : Railway enthusiasts may travel along one of Southeast Asia's most historical tracks, namely the surviving stretch of the "Death Railway" from the provincial capital to Namtok Railway Station near the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. The winding track crosses the world famous bridge and provides a clear indication of how difficult constructing the original track (long since repaired and restored) most have been. One particularly exhilarating stretch sees the line parallel the curving Kwae Noi River on a wooden viaduct towering above the river and hugging a steep cave-ridden cliff. TRAIN
SCHEDULES & FARE : Trains depart from Kanchanaburi
Railway Station every day at 06.11 AM. 11.00 AM. and 16.35 PM.
to Nam Tok Railway Station. On return, trains leave Nam Tok station
at 05.25 AM. 13.00 PM. and 15.15 PM. Travelling time is about
2 hours. The fare is 17 THB.
MAJOR EVENTS : River Kwai Bridge Week, 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.
|
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
By
Bus : Non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's
SOUTHERN BUS TERMINAL
every 15 minites from 04.00 AM till 08.00 PM. The trip takes
about 2 hours. Call 0 2434 5557 for more information.
KANCHANABURI
WAR CEMETERY (DON RAK) : The immaculately maintained
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, opposite the main railway station
on Saeng Chuto Road, contains theremains 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 Kwai. It is believed that one out of every five
people who laboured on the railway perished during its construction.
©Webdesign
by Thanittha Koednoi and
Tours l Recommended Trips l Exchange rates l Shopping areas l Nimbustours l IDC in Phuket
Scuba Diving in Asia l Phuket Gazette l E-Mail Us
