The town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand has long enchanted travellers with its natural beauty, intriguing history and friendly population. The 31,000 person town is the capital of the Kanchanaburi province and is located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers meet, forming the Mae Klong river. The town also enjoys relatively cool temperatures due to its proximity to a mountain range. Kanchanaburi is an incredibly popular spot for day trips by tourists on their Thailand holidays.
Kanchanaburi’s rich history is marked by the Japanese takeover in 1942. Allied prisoners of war constructed the Burma Railway here, and the film “Bridge on the River Kwai” details their harrowing experience. Over half of those working on the bridge died during its construction. The town’s Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and JEATH War Museum remind visitors of the sacrifice made by the POWs, and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery serves to honour those that gave their lives in the war.
Kanchanaburi offers nearly limitless opportunities for those yearning to explore Thailand’s spectacular natural beauty. Discover one of Thailand’s most loved natural treasures, the Erawan Waterfall. Nestled in a serene pocket of tropical forest, the waterfall’s crystal clear waters are irresistible to swimmers. Adventurous travellers will also not want to miss the chance to take a trek through the area’s bamboo forest and raft down the famous River Kwai. Getting close to nature is simple in the town, where you can ride one of Thailand’s famous elephants and come face to face with tigers at the Tiger Temple. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1995 and is run by local monks that are happy to give you a tour.
With plenty of cheap flights to Thailand available year round, now is a better time than ever to travel!