|Kanchanaburi, which has mostly mountainous terrain, covers an
area of approximately 19,473 square kilometers
and is the third largest province in Thailand after Chiang Mai and
Nakhon Ratchasima. Situated approximately 129 kilometres west of
Bangkok, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar to the west, Tak
and Uthai Thani
Provinces to the north, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom Provinces to
the east, and Ratchaburi Province to the
Kanchanaburi is located at the point where two tributaries, the
Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai meet and form the Maenam Mae Klong. This is
the location of the notorious Death Railway and the Bridge on the
River Khwae one
of the worlds famous World War II sites which have been
immortalized in print and film.
Kanchanaburi of Residents are engaged in agricultural activities.
Most of the locals are of Thai ancestry with notable Mon and Karen
minorities. Rural dwellers enjoy living simply and respecting
nature. Moreover folk music and dances dating back at least 500
years are still performed today.
In north and west Kanchanaburi, the terrain is comprised mainly of
mountains and high plains, with the Thanon Thongchai Range acting
as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. The range is the
source of Kanchanaburi’s two most important rivers Maenam Khwae Noi
and Maenam Khwae Yai, which form the famous Maenam Mae Klong. As a
result, several of Thailand’s largest Namtok (waterfalls) and most
extensive wildlife sanctuaries are found in this area.
Getting to Kanchanaburi are by serveral way,
Route 1: a 2-hour drive along Highway No.4 (Phetkasem) via
Nakhon Chaisi Province, Nakhon Pathom Province, Ban Pong, Tha Maka
and Tha Muang (of Ratchaburi Province) to Kanchanaburi.
Route 2:drive along Highway No. 338 from Bangkok to Nakhon Chaisi
Province then switch to Highway No.4 to Kanchanaburi.
Non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkoks Southern Bus Terminal
daily every 15 minutes from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m.
First class air-conditioned buses (blue color) leave Bangkoks
Southern Bus Terminal daily every 25 minutes
There are also buses leaving frequently daily for Kanchanaburi from
Nakhon Pathom. The journey takes up to 1.5 hours. From Ratchaburi
and Suphan Buri Bus Stations, there are several buses leaving
directly to Kanchanaburi. The trip takes some 2.5 – 3 hours.
Ordinary trains leave Bangkoks Thon Buri Railway Station (Bangkok
Noi Station) daily. Only 3rd class seats are available. The journey
takes approximately 3 hours. For more information, call Thon Buri
Railway Station at tel. 02 411 3102 or Kanchanaburi Railway Station
at tel. 034 511285.
The weekend special train leaves Bangkok Railway Station (Hua
Lamphong) at 6.30 a.m., returning at 7.55 p.m. on Saturdays,
Sundays and on public holidays. The trip usually includes several
stop-overs at Phra Pathom Chedi
(Nakhon Pathom), Death Railway Bridge, and a transfer (by minibus)
to Phrasat Mueang Singh Historical Park, etc.There are also special
steam trains operating between Kanchanaburi and Wang Pho.
For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand at tel.
1690, or 02 223 7010, 02 223 7020
At ThailandAdviser.com The Kanchanaburi Hotels and Kanchanaburi
Resorts can be book online with instant