Adventure in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand.  In and around Kanchanaburi there is plenty to do for the whole family including children. These include the visit to the famous "Bridge of the River Kwai", the Elephant farm, the Tiger Temple and the Mon (Burmese) Village.

1. Travel Itinerary for a two nights , 3-day visit
          Day 1 - Travel by land from Bangkok to Kanchanburi
                     First stop:   Bridge of the River Kwai (132 km, 2 hours 15 mins)
                     Second stop:  Boutique Raft Resort (60 km, 49 mins)
          Day 2 - Sight Seeing
                     First stop:  The Elephant Village  (approx 25 minutes from Boutique)
                     Second stop:  The Tiger Temple (approx 30 minutes from The Elephant Village)
          Day 3 - Visit to the Mon (Burmese) Village by boat (approx 40 minutes from Boutique)
                     -Travel back to Bangkok (approx 3 hours travel time)

2. The Bridge of the River Kwai is historically known.  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

"The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians also died in the course of the project, chiefly forced labour brought from Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, or conscripted in Siam (Thailand) and Burma. Two labour forces, one based in Siam and the other in Burma worked from opposite ends of the line towards the centre."^[1]

Today, may local and foreign tourists visit the famous bridge which was re-constructed in 1964.  The bridge, which is still usable,  is open to the public to see and move around.  Parking is available on the streets and in paid-parking facilities in the area.  Souvenir stores and food shops surrounds the main entrance to the Bridge.

Beside the bridge you can also visit the Allied War cemeteries and museums.  It has floating restaurants on both sides that offer buffet and ala cart lunches and  caters to visiting tourists. The place has also attracted many tourist because of its Jewelry Market that is famous for its onyx precious stones.  The Jewelry market is located just beside the Bridge of the River Kwai and has restaurants, money changers and ATM machines. Parking area in this market is big enough to accommodate even tourist buses.


3.  Boutique Raft Resort was highly recommended to me by my friends from the UN.  The resort is indeed very nice.  With its friendly staff, the resort is very private and offers good restaurant and lodging facilities.  It has about 9 River Kwai Suite floating rooms located in the banks of River Kwai (plus three other rooms off the river).  It has one Honeymoon Suite (which I luckily got for my family) which is an independent floating room in the river.  It offered large bedroom with tub, fully kitchen facilities (but not sink) and with a uniquely designed private swimming pool in its private balcony. The Honeymoon Suite has two beds (queen)  and one large sofa.

Resort can arrange for your SPA and body massage in your room. Breakfast comes with your room and with a choice of continental, American or Asian breakfast (congee and fruits). You can try taking dinner or lunch at its restaurant overlooking the hanging bridge and the river.  Or, you can consider room service for your meals and enjoy them in your balcony fronting the river itself.   There is also a public swimming pool (beside the Honeymoon Suite) where you can also do your sun bathing. The Resort has nice areas to walk on with picnic tables, swing and dart facilities for everyone. Try walking through the hanging bridge for a nice experience.  Parking is spacious and safe.  Finally, there are good restaurants off the main highway.  Ask the front desk for suggestions and directions.

Enjoying the cool breeze & sound of the river in the hammock



The floating Honeymoon Suite

Contact: info@boutiqueraft-riverkwai.com

Tel. +66 34 634 191

Address: 413 Moo 3, Wangkajae, Saiyok, Kanchanaburi, Thailand 71150

4.  The Elephant Farm (Mahawangchang Elephant Camp) is approximately 25 minutes drive from Boutique Raft Resort.  The Farm offers several activities --- elephant riding (at Baht 200 or US$ 7.00 per person per hour); elephant bathing (Baht 300 per person); elephant show; and bamboo rafting.  Elephant feed (banana) is Baht 20 per bag. 

www.mahawangchangelephantcamp.com
198 Moo. 6 Wangkajea Saiyok, Kanchanaburi 71150
Tel. 087-7477912; 085-2626078; 081-3787380

5.  The Tiger Temple (Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Foresty Monastery) is a wild life sanctuary in a monastery who propagates Buddhism.  The Tiger Temple has five areas for the public to see --- the Tiger Canyon (tigers are taken her for their afternoon exercise from 1-3:45 pm); the Tiger Walking way; the Dhamma Plaza; the Tiger Falls; and the Tiger Island Area.  Entrance fee per person is Baht 600 (US$20) per person. The Temple is open daily from 12pm to 3:15pm.  Selling of entrance tickets is close by 3:15pm.

Free photos with tigers at the Tiger Canyon.  Lines may be long during peak travel season.  Persons wishing to have photos with the tigers are quietly guided individually within the area of about 15 tigers by trained staff.  Hand over your camera to your guide as she/he will take charge of taking your photo.  Visitors are advised not to wear "bright color" (red or orange) outfits as these would attract the tigers.

Contact Information:  www.TigerTemple.org

Tel. no. 034-531 557

6.  The Mon (Burmese) Village is accessible through a 45-minute boat travel from Boutique Resort to River Kwai Jungle Raft Resort,  a unique eco-floating resort that is reputed for its unique natural surroundings with no electricity in the whole resort.  The visit to the Mon Village will allow you to see the actual housing and living conditions in the Village.  The Village also offers its visitors with a small souvenir shop, elephant ride, a temple, meeting room and sight of a cliff walking through its thick forest.

We arranged our boat to the Mon Village through Boutique Resort (front desk)  at the rental cost of Baht 1500 (US$50) for three-hours.  Each boat can accommodate eight persons.

Contact information:  www.RiverKwaiJungleRafts.com

                                   River Kwai Jungle Rafts

                                   Baan Tahsao, Amphor Saiyoke, Kanchanaburi 70150, Thailand

                                  

                                   Bangkok Sales and Reservation Office

                                   133/48 Ratchaprarop So1 12, Ratchaprarop Road

                                   Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400

                                   Tel. +662 642 5497

Things to come back for in our next trip:

1. The 7-stepped waterfall of Erewan National Park where one can hike, swim and discover the beautiful jungle of Thailand.

2. The Lawa Cave which we may have visited on our way to the Mon Village.  Entrance to the Cave is Baht 200  (US$7.00)  per person.

3. The Hellfire Pass and Memorial Museum, very impressive and moving experience on the war history.

4. Various beautiful temples like "wat tham suea" and "wat ban tam", both located on a mountain with a fantastic view over the River Kwai.

5. The Elephant's World, a sanctuary of sick, old, disabled, abused, illegal and street elephants (www.elephantworld.org) run by a non-profit organization. You can join the "All Day Visit" program with elephants who enjoy their own natural environment until their last breath. Activities include feeding and bathing elephants, preparing and cooking sticky rice for old elephants, gathering and planting food for the elephants (banana trees, sugarcane, banagrass), etc.

December 2012