Internationally famous, thanks to several motion pictures
and books, the black iron bridge was brought from Java by
the Japanese Army and reassembled under Japanese supervision
by Allied prisoners of war labour as part of the 'Death
Railway' linking Thailand with Myanmar. Still in use
today, the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing
raids during 1945, and was rebuilt after the war ended.
The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections.
War Museum
The museum, located near the River Kwai Bridge, displays the collection
of weapons, tools and utensils of the Allied prisoners of war and
Japanese soldiers during the Second World War.
The JEATH War Museum
This enclave in the riverside precincts of Wat Chaichumphon has been
constructed largely in the form of an Allied prisoners of war camp.
The name JEATH is derived from Japan, England, America, Australia,
Thailand, and Holland. The thatched detention hut with cramped,
elevated bamboo bunks contains photographic, pictorial, and physical
memorabilia dating from the Second World War. The museum is open
daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Town Gate
This is the remain of Kanchanaburi town built in 1833 during the reign
of King Rama III. It is located on Lak Muang Road near the meeting point
of the Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi Rivers.
The Kanchanaburi War
Cemetery
On Saeng Chuto Road, opposite the railway station, it
contains the remains of 6,982 prisoners of war who perished
during the construction of the "Death Railway".
The Chong Kai War Cemetery
2 kilometers south of town, on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, this
occupies the former site of the Chong Kai Prisoner of War Camp. This
second cemetery is more peaceful, attractively landscaped, and contains
some 1,750 remains.
Wat Tham Mankhon Thong
Situated 4 kilometers from town on the bank of the Kwai Noi River. It is
well known for the incredible performance of the nun floating in a deep
pool. There is a small museum where a variety of ancient objects found
in the area are on display.
The monastery in natural surroundings, famous for meditation, is 15
kilometers away from the provincial capital. There is a beautiful cave
with plenty of stalactites.
Somdet Phra Sri Nakarin Park
Situated in Kanchanaburi’s Agricultural College at Tambon Nong Ya, 9
kilometers from town, it is also known as "the Stone Garden" which
abounds with stones of different sizes and shapes.
Located at Tambon Muang Chum, 4 kilometers beyond Wachiralongkorn Dam,
these two adjacent temples house very beautiful Thai and Chinese style
buildings and huge Buddha images situated on the mount.
Wat Pa Lelai
This monastery is 18
kilometers away from the provincial capital. It is located
at Tambon Lat Ya which once was an ancient border town
involved in battles between the Thai and the Burmese during
the Ayutthaya period to the early Bangkok period. Another
nearby temple called Wat Khun Phaen houses a ruined pagoda
dating back to the early Ayutthaya period.
Kanchanaburi Cultural
Centre
The collection center of human life styles from the past till the
present is displayed at the Rajpatara Institute of Kanchanaburi, 14
kilometers out of town on the route to Sai Yok.
Ban Kao National Museum
The museum, some 35 kilometers from town, was constructed beside a
Neolithic burial site discovered by Dutch prisoners of war during the
construction of the "Death Railway". Specimens of Neolithic remains are
on display. It is open from 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday to Sunday
and closed on Monday and Tuesday.
