Kanchanaburi Province is an excellent weekend escape from Bangkok, offering a delightful blend of natural attractions, deeply moving historical sites, friendly, welcoming people and outdoor adventure activities.

Kanchanaburi is an easy two hours’ drive west of Bangkok. Many of its attractions are some distance from Kanchanaburi city so having your own wheels is ideal. You can take the train trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with the historic train and open-air carriages meandering through farmlands and villages, taking about 2.5 hours. One international travel writer featured in this train trip in their ten best train journeys globally. Buses and minivans are another option.
Rich History & Abundant Attractions
Thai people have long known the natural beauty of this region. The ‘Bridge Over the River Kwai’ book and movie introduced international audiences to the Kanchanaburi region. Both dramatised the construction of the Thai-Burma (Death) Railway during the Second World War. This war history is reason enough to visit and more on that in a moment.

Look deeper into this enormous Province, and you’ll quickly learn that water and nature offer an abundance of opportunities as well. The region’s two main rivers, Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai and the dense jungles of this Province are the basis for many attractions and outdoor activities. For starters, think waterfalls, caves, lakes, hot springs, river rafting, jungle trekking, camping, canoeing, birdwatching, or mountain biking. Add to that ancient Khmer ruins and impressive Buddhist temples, this Kanchanaburi region has many things to fill your Bangkok getaway.

WW II History
The Japanese commissioned the 415 km long Thailand-Burma Railway to resupply their forces in Burma and the Indian Ocean during World War II. It was built through mountainous jungle, with over 600 bridges using forced local labourers and captured British, Australian and Dutch Prisoners of War.

Completing it in just under 18 months was an extraordinary achievement, and it’s said that one person died for every sleeper laid in the construction of ‘Death Railway’. Due to heavy bombing by the Allied forces and the surrender of the Japanese in 1945, the line was only used for two years, then abandoned.

A visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre in Kanchanaburi city provides graphic, interactive and well-presented displays in English and Thai. A visit here first deeply enhances appreciation of this historic railway. Cross the road to wander the manicured Kanchanaburi War Cemetery for further evidence of this sad time in history.

The steel rail bridge crossing a wide stretch of Kwai Yai River in the middle of town is now a focal point for visitors. Trains cross the bridge several times a day, taking visitors out to Nam Tok (the last active station) and returning. Time your visit for that Instagram shot of the train crossing the bridge. Safe ‘landings’ are on each side of the track, and no fines for walking on the rail tracks once the train has passed.

Take the Scenic Railway from Kanchanaburi and alight at Tham KraSae Bridge to see the Death Valley Viaduct. The train precariously edges across the viaduct with a steep drop on one side and almost touching the cutting on the other side. Most people visit nearby KraSae Cave to pay homage to Buddha images inside. Return by train or a local taxi.

With the largest rock-cutting, Hellfire Pass is considered the most arduous in the whole rail line’s construction. Conditions for workers were horrendous, suffering starvation, exhaustion, disease and maltreatment by Japanese guards. Funded and managed by the Australian government, the Hellfire Pass Museum provides an opportunity to appreciate why Allied POWs named this section, Konyu Cutting, of the Thai-Burma railway “Hellfire Pass”. You can walk the Pass with an audio guide and visit the excellent museum. Location: 80 km from Kanchanaburi.

Natural Attractions

When it comes to natural beauty, there is no shortage of sites, with six national parks in the Province. Erawan Falls National Park is very popular, with emerald green pools and refreshing swimming spots for the seven-tiered waterfall. A walking trail leads up to each level. Birdwatching, spotting native animals and exploring nearby Phra That Cave are all attractions. Named after the divine three-headed god of the elephants Erawan Waterfall, is one of Thailand’s most popular, so plan to arrive early morning, avoiding weekends and national holidays. Location: 55km from Kanchanaburi

Sri Nakharin Reservoir and national park is a further 10 minutes drive north of Erawan. And a further 45km north-west is the stunning Huay Mae Khamin, the multi-tiered waterfall flowing 1.7 km and shrouded by bamboo and banyan trees. Some say it surpasses Erawan and without the crowds.

The restored archaeological site, Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park, harks back to the 13th century and marks the ancient Khmer Kingdom’s most western border. The forested park, beside Kwai Noi River, is serene and restful, and the rusty-red laterite stones used in constructing the temples and surrounding structures hold many stories and secrets.

Golfers will enjoy the four courses in the region, including the 36-hole Blue Sapphire Golf & Resort. If ethical elephant encounters are on your list, make a booking at Elephant Haven. And there are plenty of restaurants and markets around Kanchanaburi to satisfy your appetite.

Where to stay
When it’s time to put your head down at night, the accommodation options range from simple Guesthouses to Luxury. Here are a few recommendations.

Luxury: if being situated right on the river (Kwai Noi), then Cross River Kwai is ideal. Its striking, ultra-modern features, comfortable vibe, on-site restaurant and gorgeous infinity pool is all about relaxing. If you prefer something more traditional and stately, check out the riverfront Dheva Mantri Resort, with beautifully landscaped gardens and a swimming pool, restaurants and Spa.

Mid Range and Budget hotels are aplenty. Maenamkwai Road has many riverside resorts, restaurants, bars, massage salons and convenience stores and is relatively close to the River Kwai Bridge. Ploy Resort’s garden view rooms are delightful, and Good Times Resort’s restaurant has an excellent reputation.

If you fancy canoeing, go straight off your patio when staying in a villa at the Erachon Raft Resort, located just south of Erawan Falls. With a swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant on-site, you may not want to leave.

Benefits of Bangkok Living
Bangkok is such a vibrant city and an excellent place to live. Fortunately, the Bangkok Real Estate market is dynamic, with a vast choice of brand new and resale condos on the market for those needing somewhere to call home or for investors. Once established and familiar with this bustling and vibrant metropolis, then it’s time to find your favorite weekend, or more extended, escapes. Thankfully, you have a great variety of Bangkok Getaways. Kanchanaburi is just one of them.