Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is the capital of Kanchanaburi Province and is located at the confluence of the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. A province in the Central Plains, Kanchanaburi is frequented by tourists who have been attracted by its long history and ancient civilizations, a location of the Bridge over the River Khwae – "Kwai" as it is known internationally and scene of the historic World War II. Producers of the movie the Bridge Over the River Kwae are guilty of giving the river and bridge both the wrong spelling and mis-pronunciaton. It is pronounced ‘Kwae’ as in the English word ‘Hay’. The province is also famous for its natural attractions such as forests, mountains, caves and waterfalls.

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 south.

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.

Orienting yourself in Kanchanaburi is very easy. The main road, Thanon Saeng Chuto, runs through the length of town from north to south, connecting the River Kwai Bridge, the train station and the bus station. Running parallel to this, closer to the river, is Thanon Mae Nam Kwae where most of the guesthouses and the local bar scene can be found.