Kanchanaburi - Page 2

Accommodation

There is no shortage of good quality hotels in Kanchanaburi and numerous guest houses for the more economically minded. An up market resort is located on an island in the middle of the Mae Khlong river.

Food and Drink

You will have no difficulty find good Thai, Chinese and Isaan (north-eastern Thai) restaurants. The best can be a little crowded at weekends and holidays. The specialities of the province include very spicy curries without coconut milk and Po Taek, a soup with crab claws and other seafood.

If you're in a romantic mood try a candle lit dinner at one of the floating restaurants.

Shopping

Souvenirs, handicrafts, toiletries, film and day to day items can be found at several shops around the town. Don't expect to find any large department stores.

Sight Seeing

Most people will want to see the Bridge Over the River Kwai, made famous by the movie of the same name. It spans the Kwai Noi river and is located 2km outside the town. Trains from the WW II era are on display near the bridge.

In reality there is not one Bridge over the River Kwai, but three. 130km of the infamous Death Railaway is still in use and to see the complete bridge structures it is worth taking the railway ride from Kanchanaburi to the end of the line at Nam Tok. The more adventuresome may then take a songthaew up to the border with Myanmar, at the Three Pagodas Pass.

In the town of Kanchanaburi the JEATH war museum is located at Wat Chaichunphun and contains a replica of the huts used to house Allied POWs, photos, drawings and other war memorabilia. There are also two well cared for military cemeteries in the town with the graves of prisoners of war who died during the Japanese occupation.

Seven major waterfalls are located to the north of Kanchanaburi, the easiest of which to get to is in the Erawan national Park. The more adventurous may like to take one of the rafting trips along the Mae Klong river. These can be arranged at hotels and travel agents in Kanchanaburi.