Travel to Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi, a town of about 54,000 people, serves as the capital of Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province, the third-largest province in the country. Located near Thailand's border with Myanmar, Kanchanaburi is of particular interest to World War II history buffs. Infrastructure built in the town by forced-labor prisoners of war, most notably the Bridge on the River Kwai, still stands today. The town also is near several natural wonders and wildlife, including a cascading waterfall and a temple housing live tigers.
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Weather
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Kanchanaburi is warm year-round. Even in the winter, the average low stays above 70 degrees F. Rather than the traditional four seasons, the town sees three seasons: the warm season from February to May, the rainy season from June to October and the so-called cool season from November to January. December through March, when the weather is drier and the temperatures are not as hot, is the peak travel time. September and October are the rainiest months, during which rainfall totals can reach 5 feet.
Getting There
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Kanchanaburi does not have an airport, so most travelers access the town by flying into Bangkok. From Bangkok, travelers may journey by bus, taxi or train to reach Kanchanaburi. Buses depart every 20 minutes from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs 99 baht for first-class, air-conditioned accommodations. A taxi from Bangkok is 30 minutes faster but will cost between 1,000 and 3,000 baht, depending on how negotiable the taxi driver is. The train is for adventurous travelers only. It is a local line, has wooden seats, lacks air conditioning and takes 5 hours to reach Kanchanaburi.
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Getting Around
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Once in Kanchanaburi, travelers can hire transportation to get around the city or explore the city on their own. Bikes and motorbikes are the best way to explore the city. Smaller scooters cost about 200 baht for a day's rental, and larger motorbikes cost about 500 baht. Gasoline in Thailand is relatively inexpensive, and one major road, Thanon Saeng Chuto, runs vertically from end to end in the town. Those not wanting to control their own transportation can hire a motorbike taxi or rickshaw. Travelers should negotiate the rate for the journey at the start of the trip.
Attractions
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The most famous site in Kanchanaburi is the bridge spanning the River Kwai. Prisoners of war built the bridge in 1942 while the area was under Japanese control. The bridge still stands today, including curved spans that are part of the original construction, and several market stalls surround the nearby promenade. The "death railway" to Myanmar also still stands and contains several memorials to the POWs who lost their lives during its construction. Travelers also may visit the Tiger Temple, a Buddhist temple where monks care for animals, including live tigers.
Excursions
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Several famous Thailand sites are a short distance away from Kanchanaburi. The 500-square-kilometer Erawan National Park is just about 90 minutes away by bus. The seven-level, 1,500-meter Erawan Falls is regarded as one of Thailand's most beautiful and contains caves for exploration and pools for swimming. Hardy travelers can scale the cliffs to the top of the falls. Also nearby is Hellfire Pass, the portion of the death railway at which POWs had to burrow through solid rock to build the railway. An annual ceremony honors the POWs who died during that construction.
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References
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