Kanchanaburi travel guide

Background

Kanchanaburi was established in the 1830s, although the ruins of Muang Singh to the west date from the Khmer period. On entering the town (called Muang Kan by most locals), visitors may notice the fish-shaped street signs. The fish in question is the yisok, a small freshwater fish and the symbol of Kanchanaburi. Another slice of Thai fauna for which this area of Thailand is known is Kitti’s hog-nosed bat. As with so many tourist success stories, Kanchanaburi has its downside. In this case, it is pollution from the 900-odd raft-based guesthouse and restaurant operations. Almost none of the rafts has water treatment or waste disposal systems. This was fine when there were just a handful of rafts and a few thousand tourists a year. Now the numbers are far greater and public health officials have detected a significant rise in water pollution.

Getting around

Bicycles, motorbikes and jeeps can all be hired in Kanchanaburi and offer the most flexible way to explore the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, saamlors provide short-distance trips around town while tuk-tuks are handy for longer journeys. Rafts and long-tailed boats are available for charter on the river.

Ins and outs

Getting there

There are regular connections by train and bus with Bangkok. The journey from Bangkok takes around 2½ hours by train while any of the numerous buses take two hours. There are also bus connections with Nakhon Pathom (1½ hours), Suphanburi and onwards to Sangkhlaburi. Unfortunately, there are no direct bus connections with Ayutthaya – you must connect with a slow local service at Suphanburi. This is something local tour operators in Kanchanaburi have taken advantage of, cramming rickety minibuses with backpackers willing to pay inflated prices; you’re better advised to travel via Bangkok.

Non-air-conditioned buses arrive at the station in the market area, behind Saengchuto Road. Air-conditioned buses run to the corner of Saengchuto Road, opposite Lak Muang Road. Take a songthaew from the bus station to the guesthouse area, but beware of over- charging (it should cost ฿60). The train station is 2 km northwest of town on Saengchuto Road, not far from the cemetery, T034-511285. Left-luggage available.

Kanchanaburi and around

Bicycle

A good way to get around town and out to the bridge. Reliable bikes can be hired for ฿30-40 per day from Green Bamboo on the Mae Nam Kwai Rd, or ask at guesthouses.

Boat

Noisy, long-tailed boats roar up and down the river; tickets are available at guesthouses. A more peaceful option is to hire canoes.

Cruise Asia Ltd, http://www.cruiseasia.net. Runs 4- and 7-day trips on the River Kwai.

Safarino, on the Mae Nam Kwai Rd. Rents out canoes for ฿280 per 3 hrs.

Bus

Non-a/c buses leave from the station in the market area, behind Saengchuto Rd. A/c buses leave from the corner of Saengchuto Rd, opposite Lak Muang Rd. Regular twice hourly connections with Bangkok’s Southern bus terminal (a/c bus No 81), 2 hrs, or non-a/c bus, 3-4 hrs. Also connections with Nakhon Pathom (1½ hrs, ฿15) from where there are buses to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak .

Jeep

Several places rent out jeeps along Mae Nam Kwai Rd.

Motorbike and scooter

Yankee, Mae Nam Kwai Rd. Rents out motorbikes and scooters from ฿150 per day. As well as the usual 125cc step-throughs it also has 200cc chopper-style Phantoms.

Saamlor, songthaew and tuk-tuk

A saamlor charter for 2-3 hrs should cost about ฿100 for a trip to the Kwai bridge, JEATH museum and the cemetery.

A songthaew/tuk-tuk is most useful for out-of-town trips.

Train

Regular connections with Nakhon Pathom and on to Hualampong Station. Weekends and holidays, special service . It is possible to take a local train between Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok, stopping off along the way.

Banks

There are a number near the bus station, most with ATMs. Bangkok, 2 Uthong Rd. Thai Farmers, 160/80-2 Saengchuto Rd. Thai Military, 160/34 Saengchuto Rd.

Internet

There are several along Mae Nam Kwai Rd.

Laundry

A few line Mae Nam Kwai Rd (฿15-20 a kilo).

Medical services

Hospital Saengchuto Rd, close to Saengchuto Soi 20.

Police

Corner of Saengchuto and Lak Muang roads.

Post office

Corner of Lak Muang Rd and Baak Phraek Rd (not far from Sathani Rot Fai Rd), some distance out of town towards Bangkok.