Kanchanaburi is about 125 km west of Bangkok. The town dates back to the 18th century, when it was built as an outpost against possible attacks from the Burmese.
Today this small town with a dark history attracts visitors from all over the world. It lies where the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers meet, and has museums, memorials and war cemeteries that pay tribute to the city's wartime past.
The Death Railway
It is the most famous site in Kanchanaburi, where you can learn the sad story of the construction of the Burma-Thailand railway. It was a Japanese project to connect Thailand and Burma to supply their forces during the Second World War. Forced labourers and Allied prisoners of war were used to build the railway line and a bridge over River Kwai. This project led to the loss of over 100 000 lives thus known as the death railway. Disease, starvation and accidents were among the causes of death.
In 1957, the film The Bridge on the River Kwai was released, loosely based on real events that happened during the construction of the railway. The dreadful story became famous, and visitors started flocking to Kanchanaburi.
The events that happened during this construction have been portrayed and documented in other films such as Return From River Kwai (1989), and The Railway Man (2013). Kanchanaburi hosts two museums, Allied War Cemetery, and a memorial to honor and remember the dead.
Apart from the famous Bridge over River Kwai, The Death Railway, and The Allied Cemetery, the city has plenty of things to do. Kanchanaburi is a hotspot for nature lovers. Well equipped with rugged mountains and a dense network of rivers makes it a perfect place for hiking and water sports activities.
Kanchanaburi has several national parks. One of the best known is Erawan National Park, home to the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall, a picturesque series of cascades in evergreen forest.
Kanchanaburi has plenty of activities to choose from. You can enjoy bamboo rafting along the River Kwai, go for waterfall hiking, and explore the caves. Get a chance to go through the death railway as you enjoy the serene environment of the area. River cruises, kayaking, canoeing, and boat riding are exciting activities to make your holiday memorable.