Skywalk Kanchanaburi City
Glass Skywalk on the banks of the Khwae Yai in the city, approx. 150 meters long and 12 meters high, overlooking the confluence of the rivers. Most beautiful in the late afternoon.
Thailand
West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)
Region
Western Thailand, around the province of Kanchanaburi, combines war history and nature.
by Felix Gillen
Western Thailand, around the province of Kanchanaburi, combines war history and nature. This is where the Thailand-Burma Railway ran, built during World War II under Japanese occupation by prisoners of war and forced labourers, and known as the Death Railway.Attractions include the Bridge on the Khwae Yai, the war cemeteries and museums in Kanchanaburi, Hellfire Pass, the tiered waterfalls in Erawan National Park, and further north, Sangkhlaburi with its long wooden bridge.
Western Thailand begins about a hundred kilometers west of Bangkok and extends to the border with Myanmar. Its heart is Kanchanaburi, the country's third-largest province. The region is ideal for history centered around the Death Railway, waterfalls and national parks, as well as train journeys on the preserved section of the line to Nam Tok.
More places in West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)
Sangkhlaburi is the northernmost district of Kanchanaburi Province, situated on the shore of the Khao Laem Reservoir near the Myanmar border. Besides Thais, Mon and Karen people live here, which is reflected in their language, cuisine, and temple architecture.Its landmark is the Mon Bridge (Uttamanusorn Bridge), Thailand's longest wooden bridge at around 445 meters. It connects the Mon village of Wang Kha with the town. Early in the morning, the monks' alms collection can be observed here. On the Mon side stands Wat Wang Wiwekaram with a gilded chedi modelled after Indian prototypes.During the dry season, usually in March and April, the walls and ordination hall of the old temple emerge from the lake, remnants of the settlement that was flooded with the construction of the Vajiralongkorn Dam in 1984. The cooler months from November to February are the most pleasant time to travel.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located in Ratchaburi Province, approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, on a 32-kilometre-long canal dug between 1866 and 1868 by order of King Mongkut to connect the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers. Vendors sell fruit, noodle soups, and snacks from flat wooden boats.The market is very well-known and heavily geared towards visitors: Besides the vendor boats, souvenir stalls crowd the banks, and longtail boats take groups through the canals. It's busiest between approximately 7 and 9 AM; the market remains active until midday.Prices are negotiable, including for boat trips. An alternative with a predominantly Thai audience is the Amphawa evening market in Samut Songkhram, which takes place from Friday to Sunday.
Sights in West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Death Railway Museum and Research Centre
Museum mit informativen Ausstellungen zur Geschichte der Thailand-Burma-Eisenbahn.
Bridge on the Khwae Yai
The steel bridge on the northern edge of Kanchanaburi is part of the railway line built in 1942 and 1943 by Allied prisoners of war and forced Asian laborers. It is still in use and can be crossed on foot. For context, a visit to the city's museums and war cemeteries is worthwhile.
Hellfire Pass Memorial
The Konyu Cutting, northwest of Kanchanaburi, was hewn through the rock by prisoners of war with hand tools; its name derives from the night work torches. An Interpretive Centre documents the history with eyewitness accounts, and a walking trail follows the old railway line several kilometres through the forest.
Erawan National Park
Historical Park Mueang Sing
Fortified Khmer city on the Khwae Noi in Sai Yok District, in Bayon style from the time of King Jayavarman VII. Preserved are a central prang, a 7-meter high laterite wall, and moats and ramparts covering an area of approximately 880 by 1,400 meters. Discoveries show the site was settled around 200 AD.
Essen & Trinken
Restaurant in XGW3+JX6 Unnamed Road Tambon Nong Ya.
Dining and Drinking
Central Thai cooking prevails: Curries with coconut milk, clear soups, rice dishes, and noodle soups, usually milder than in the south or northeast. What makes the region unique are two ingredients: freshwater fish from the rivers and reservoirs, and the sugarcane and fruit cultivation of the plains. Towards the northwest, a Burmese-Mon influence emerges; in Sangkhlaburi, you'll find dishes rarely seen elsewhere in Thailand.
Freshwater fish from Khwae Yai and Khwae Noi
In the river restaurants and on the rafts, fish is served grilled, steamed, or fried, often with a spicy lime and garlic sauce.
Mon Cuisine in Sangkhlaburi
In Wang Kha’s Mon quarter, you’ll find curries and salads that are closer to Burmese than Thai cuisine, along with condensed milk tea.
Khanom Jeen
Fermented rice noodles with curry and fresh herbs, a widespread breakfast found in the region's markets.
Sugarcane and Palm Sugar
Freshly pressed sugarcane juice is sold at stalls, palm sugar as blocks or in sweets.
River Valley Fruit
During harvest season, stands with local fruit line country roads, cheaper than in the cities.
Culture and History
West Thailand is a border region. For centuries, military campaigns between Siam and Burma crossed the passes to present-day Myanmar. To this day, Mon, Karen, and Burmese migrant workers live here alongside the Thai population, most visibly in Sangkhlaburi.The region's most defining memory is more recent. In 1942 and 1943, the Japanese army built the 415-kilometer railway line from Ban Pong to Thanbyuzayat in Burma, which was later named the Death Railway. Approximately 61,800 Allied prisoners of war worked on it, with about 12,600 of them dying. Additionally, at least 180,000 conscripted Asian laborers were involved, an estimated 90,000 of whom lost their lives. The Kanchanaburi and Chungkai war cemeteries are located in and near Kanchanaburi, along with museums and the preserved cutting at Hellfire Pass.Museums: The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre in Kanchanaburi and the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre provide detailed historical context.Older Layers can be found along the Khwae Noi: Mueang Sing was a fortified Khmer city in the Bayon style dating from the time of Jayavarman VII.Nature Conservation: The forest complexes of Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng on the border are UNESCO World Heritage sites and are largely closed to visitors.
Exploring the area
From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, it's about 130 kilometers; buses and minivans take two to three hours, depending on traffic.The train is more appealing: A branch line runs from Bangkok Thonburi to Kanchanaburi and continues over the Bridge on the Khwae Yai to Nam Tok. It is the preserved section of the Death Railway, with approximately 130 kilometers still in operation. The train runs only a few times a day; check the current timetable.To the north and west, Highway 323 follows the Khwae Noi via Sai Yok and Thong Pha Phum to Sangkhlaburi. The route is winding but well-maintained.For the national parks, the easiest way is by private vehicle or transfer; a public bus also goes to Erawan.In Kanchanaburi, a scooter or bicycle suffices; the sights are lined up along the river.Between November and February, it is dry and mild, making it the most pleasant time. From March to May, it gets very hot. The rainy season fills the waterfalls, though some paths in the national parks may then be closed. For safety advice in the border area with Myanmar, consult the German Federal Foreign Office.
