Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park

Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park

Covering over 500 sq.km, Erawan National Park is surrounded by stunning scenery and houses the famous Erawan waterfall. The park is covered with 75% forest and if you're lucky you might just catch a glimpse of an elephant, wild monkey or even an eagle!

If you're unlucky you might come across one of our king cobras or pythons!

The whole area around the park is highlighted by some beautifully decorated pavilions which house gift shops, cafes and restaurants.

You can tour around the park in your own car but the best way to see the whole grounds is to take one of the park's own buses.

The driver will take you through each section, giving you excellent photo opportunities as well as getting "up close and personal" with several animals, most notably the giraffes who will "invade" the bus for some food...great fun!

Bowls of food to feed the animals can be bought from the main entrance for just a few Baht.

At the centre of the park is the central pavilion restaurant and show arena.

The restaurant itself sits overlooking a lake and is a good spot for a cold drink before heading off to see one of the many daily animal shows.

Visit: www.kanchanaburisafaripark.com

Kanchanaburi - Muang Sing Historical Park

Kanchanaburi - Muang Sing Historical Park

Close to Sai Yok Noi waterfall, Muang Singh Historical Park covers two areas, Sai Yok Noi (Small) and Sai Yok Yai (Big). The park features the remains of two Khmer temples dating back to the 13th century.

Muang Singh - the "Lion City" was declared a historical park in 1987 and has become one of Kanchanaburi's more popular attractions.

Muang Sing dates back to time of King Rama I (1782-1809), built as an integral part of his defences against the invading Burmese army.

Covering an area of over 700,000 sq.m, the southern wall runs parallel with the River Kwai.

The main temple is at the centre of the park, next to the remains of the second ruin, with the lesser monuments are scattered around.

The style of the temples, known as "Bayon" style, are in honour of ancient Khmer Kingdom during the 12th century reign of King Jayavarman. An inscription on one of the stones depicts Prince Kumara and his father naming over 20 cities.

Kanchanaburi - Bars & Pubs

6Kanchanaburi - Bars & Pubs

Kanchanaburi has numerous places to get a "cold one" or two! There are (too) many small shop-front bars along the River Kwai Road, most of which disappear quicklly. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the more established places around offer good compnay, plenty of stories and more often than not satellite TV.

See below details of recommended bars & pubs...

Bar & Pub Owners - Add Your Listing Here

Recommended Bars & Pubs Red Kangaroo / Four 9's - Sang Chuto Road Opposite River Kwai Hotel in the heart of town. Air-Con bar with satellite TV, cold beer and some great stories! Rascals - River Kwai Road Come join the fun at Rascals. Top food, proper UK nosh, all sports events, great tunes, great crack - Say no more! No Name Bar - River Kwai Road Get Shit-Faced On A Shoestring' they say. Breakfast, pies, burgers, chips, Thai food, cold beer, cool cocktails, wine, pool table & big screen TV. Relax & Enjoy! Fine Thanks Beer Garden - River Promenade Very popular spot, at the end of the "River Promenade", a large outdoor beer garden. Spread Eagle - River Kwai Road Traditional Thai bar-beer with sofas and chairs and good company!! Bar & Pub Owners - Add Your Listing Here

Kanchanaburi - Clubs

Kanchanaburi - Clubs

Kanchanaburi has a few clubs/discos if you feel the need to dance! Mainly centred around the River Promenade, the latest dance tunes can be heard pumping out along the river. As well as the more high-tech clubs, there are a few live music venues dotted around, mainly featuring cover bands and local musicians.

See below details of recommended clubs...

Club Owners - Add Your Listing Here

Recommended Clubs

Glitzy Disco - River Kwai Hotel
Attached to the River Kwai Hotel, very popular local night spot with all the latest dance tunes. Just outside is the beer garden when you need a bit of fresh air!

Discovery Night Club - River Promenade
Probably the best known club in the area. Discovery is a modern dance club with different themed nights every day of the week. Weekends especially can be full-on!

Guitar House - River Promenade
Live music place along the "River Promenade".

Club Owners - Add Your Listing Here

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Ban Kao National Museum

This national museum is located 35 km from Kanchanaburi town it also overlooks the Kwai Noi River. The museum was constructed beside a Neolithic burial site discovered by an Allied Prisoner Of War during the construction of the Death Railway. About 4,000 years ago Neolithic man lived, roamed and hunted there beside the Kwai River, sheltering beneath rock overhangs or in nearby caves. The Baan Kao museum houses skeleton remains, pots, axe heads, jewellery made from animal bones and other artefact dating from that time.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Admission fee: 20 Baht
The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Wat Kao Pun & Kao Pun Cave

The Kao Pun Wat and the cave are located about 5 km from town at highway 3228. Some boat tours stop there for a visit. Inside the cave are several Hindu and Buddha images in some rooms. Behind the temple on the way to the river is a big Buddha located from where you can have a fantastic view of the river valley.

Jeath Museum

The museum was built by a monk of Wat Chai Chumpol in the form of a replica of Allied POW's quarters in a Death Railway detention camp - a long bamboo hut with earthen floor, like a henhouse. Raised narrow bamboo bunks lining the two walls, serving as the living space.
JEATH is the acronym of the nations involved in the Death Railway construction, namely :
Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland.

On the walls are enlarged reproductions of photos taken during the railway construction and also paintings of the atrocities inflicted on the POW's. There are also collections of World war II Artifacts found in the area, including the blown-out shell of the bomb that was supposed to have downed the Bridge Over the River Kwai.

Kanchanaburi Monkey School

The Kanchanaburi Monkey School trains 17 monkeys and 1 gibbon. All of the monkeys have been rescued - some were found in poor health conditions. Now they get trained to harvest coconut, dive, play basketball. Just to name few of their skills. Monkey School is located on the way to Khao Pun Cave on highway 3228 and turn left at the level crossing.

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Admission fee: 150 THB

Thai-Burmese Railway Centre

The TBRC is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. The Death Railway runs once 415 km from Ban Pong (Thailand) to Thanbuyuzayat (Burma). The museum is located next to the Don-Rak War Cemetery.

Opening hours: daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission fee: 60 Baht

River Kwai bridge week

This is an annual event in the province of Kanchanaburi office from late November to early December to commemorate the famous introduction of the death penalty for the railway and bridge over the River Kwai during the Second World War. Activities at the fair includes historical and archaeological exhibitions, folk shows, in government offices, the sale of products, entertainment and light and sound presentation.

Festivals

River Kwai Bridge Week

Each year, late November and/or early December, the world famous bridge becomes the focal point of celebrations. Highlights include exhibitions and historical and archaeological displays; a carnival featuring sideshows, roundabouts, folk entertainment, and cultural performances, rides on trains hauled by World War II vintage steam locomotives; and a nightly light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge on the Second World War history, including an Allied bombing raid.

Trekking

National Parks and Trekking Trails

Kanchanaburi's aforementioned parks offer opportunities for either camping, and/or fishing, or trekking along nature trails. Camping facilities, which customarily provide cold running water and simple toilet facilities, are available at Chaloem Rattanakosin, Sai Yok, and Erawan National Parks. Trekking along either well-defined waterfall trails, or nature trails, to visit caves or appreciate local flora and fauna is a popular activity at all national parks. Some travel agents offer one-day elephant trekking in combination with rafting tours in the vicinity of Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla Buri. Visitors are advised to contact either local travel agents or TAT's office in Kanchanaburi for details. If you interested in trekking trip, please consult pguesthouse@thai-tour.com.

Rafting

Trips are available from the provincial capital and several holiday resorts. Raft trips leave from the famous bridge, or the Song Kwai Road waterfront area and the cost depends on the duration and destination. Trips may entail 7-10 hour return journeys, or include an overnight stay on either the Kwai Yai or Kwai Noi Rivers. Visitors are advised to contact TAT's office in Kanchanaburi for current information. Contact: baanhuayulong@thai-tour.com

Rail Trips

Railway enthusiats may travel along one of Southeast Asia's most historical tracks, namely the surviving stretch of the 'Death Railway', from the provincial cpaital to Nam Tok Railway Station near the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. The winding track crosses the world famous bridge and provides a clear indication of how difficult constructing the original track (long since repaired and restored) must have been. One particularly exhilarating stretch sees the line parallel the curving Kwai Noi River on a wooden viaduct towering above the river and hugging a steep cave-ridden cliff. Explore more in