Thailand Borders 18: Kanchanaburi

“Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about...” – Marilyn Monroe

 

(Kanchanaburi iconic Skywalk)

Day 18: Wednesday, 27 Nov 2024
Route: Kanchanaburi Free and Easy
Hotel: Hop Inn Kanchanaburi

(Half-boiled eggs for breakfast)

Today we visited a few attractions in Kanchanaburi. First site was the Bridge Over River Kwai. This bridge was depicted in the film of the same name. The structure that still stands till today is a famous local tourist attraction. Bought sunglasses and other souvenirs from the many souvenir shops around the railway station.

(Driving on Kanchanaburi main road)

(Kanchanaburi Clock Tower at a busy junction)

(An old locomotive on display at the Train Station)

(The WWII Bridge on the River Kwai)

(Part of the Siam-Burma Death Railway)

(Still stand strong and a famous tourist attraction)

(Learn the horrors associated with this infamous railway line)

(Several floating restaurants around the bridge)

(Many souvenir stalls along the railway line)

Next we headed to Tham Krasae Railway Bridge via Route 323. On the way we detoured to a Sun Flower field. The sun flowers are blooming, an opportunity to take some pictures.

(Ferris wheel in the middle of the sun flower field)

(A family-owned farm and restaurant)

(The farm is before the Keeree Mantra Restaurant)

(The sunflower is blooming in Kanchanaburi!) 

When we arrived in Tham Krase, there was a bus load of foreign tourists visiting the attraction. Tham Krasae Bridge is the longest railway bridge in Thailand. It is a trestle bridge over the Khwae Noi River and part of the Death Railway, built during World War II by prisoners of war. There are beautiful viewpoints to take photos with the trestle bridge hugging the cliff along the river as the background.

(The road leading to Tham Krase)

(Looking out for signages)

(Tham Krase Railway Station)

( There is a train from Tham Krasae to Kanchanaburi twice daily)

(A floating restaurant near the Death Railway)

(Taking a walk along the Death Railway)

(The bridge snakes between the river and steep high cliffs)

(The wooden trestle bridge called the Wang Pho Viaduct)

(Beautiful viewpoint with tragic history)

(Scenic view of Khwai Noi River)

(Local foods and tid-bits stalls)

(Souvenir shops near the attractions)

The nearby Krasae Cave is located along the railway, and has been constructed by the prisoners of war. It has become a Buddhist temple.

(Located near the Death Railway line)

From Tham Krasae we took the rural road towards the Phu Nam Ron Thai/Myanmar border. We were halfway through the journey when we realized that the road led to a much smaller road. 20 km from the border we entered a bumpy dirt road that does not look like it is leading us to the border. We met a few 4x4 vehicles and the locals advised us to turn back and take another better road to the border.

(A junction to a smaller rural road)

(A lonely cemented road into nowhere)

(Entering a rough bumpy mud road)

(Off-roading for quite a distance)

(Time to turn back and look for alternative road)

(Retracing our way to the main road)

We retraced our journey which got us back to Route 323. From there we took the AH 123 the proper road to the border and took some pictures.

(A brief stop after unsuccessful attempt to reach the border)

(Driving on the right road to the border)

(The Baan Phu Nam Ron Thai/Myanmar border)

(Entering the no-man's land to Myanmar)

By the time we reached Kanchanaburi town, it was already 3.00 pm and my stomach was growling as it was way passed our normal lunch time. We had a hearty lunch of nasi goreng, tom yam kung and omellete at Zubair Halal restaurant.

(Zubair Halal Restaurant, Kanchanaburi)

(A filling lunch and delicious dishes)

Back in the hotel, we performed our prayers. Then we went out again and drove to the City Gate. This restored original city gate was built in 1831. It is a remnant of Kanchanaburi's once mighty defensive walls, which linked six fortresses.

(Luxury Hotel, run down and abandoned)

(Tourist Attraction Map)

(The front gate facing Khwae Yai River)

(A restored city gate built in 1831)

(A remnant of Kanchanaburi defensive walls)

(City Gate Street Arts)

Later we visited the iconic Skywalk. The new attraction is 12-meter-high, 150-meter in length and spans the width of the River Kwai. In addition to the panoramic view, the glass floor allows visitors to see all three rivers at once: the Khwae Yai, the Kwai Noi, and the Mae Klong. We had to pay B60/person for entrance tickets and were given protective shoe cover to protect the glass floor. No bags, walking sticks and selfie sticks were allowed but storage locker to keep our belongings was free of charge. We spent some time on the skywalk enjoying the view and the sunset.

(A good place to watch the beautiful sunset)

(12 meters above the ground, parallel to the river banks)

(Watching the sunset from the flatform)

(Surrounded by beautiful views on both sides of the skywalk)

(A few bus loads of visitors on the skywalk)

(Wearing shoe covers to protect the glass floor)

(Only 15 persons allowed on the jutting flatform at a time)

Tonight we had an hour of therapeutic foot massage to relieve tired muscles.

(An hour of strong foot massage)