Day Trip to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok

To make up from my busy work life, my friend and I decided to go on a day trip to Kanchanaburi. It is a historical site in Thailand where you can find the Death Railway which was built during WWII. Traces of rich history is all over the town.

So from Bangkok, we traveled by van from the Southern Bus Terminal. We left at around 6.30am to catch the trips at 7am. We took a taxi from my home (Samsen) and just tell the driver that you are going to Sai Tai Mai. The trip usually take around 2 hours but we arrived just after an hour and a half trip because it's a Sunday (no traffic jam). We went there without an itinerary and just listed the places we wanted to visit.

 

An old man approached us and asked where do we want to go. Initially, we really don't want to hire anything because we really want to explore around. The man suggested to go to the War Cemetery first for 50THB per person on his songtaew like taxi. So we took it. When we reached the place, he negotiated for a day trip until 5pm and he will take us to all places for 700 THB PER PERSON. It's expensive of course as people like us who lives in Bangkok, transportation will not be this expensive. But since we went there as foreign tourists, we do not have other choice. We tried to bargain but the old man doesn't want to. He said he's okay if we do not, he can just drop us at the War Cemetery. But as we look around, there are no transportation mode we use (maybe because Sunday?). So we took it. The old man was kind enough to explain to us everything before accepting the offer (in Thai, since we can understand Thai too). So we rented this cute car for just the two of us.

  

War Cemetery

The cemetery for the prisoners who lost their lives during the Thailand-Burma railway construction.

   

River Kwai Bridge

   

Death Railway

Took us an hour to travel from the River Kwai Bridge to the Death Railway which made us think that hiring the motor taxi was beneficial. The old man dropped us on the camp site entrance and told us that he will meet us on the other end. So we walked from there until at the train station.

  

We walked below the railway (too scared).

  

And since we have to go to the other end, we continued walking at the railway because there is no way under anymore (river).

 

At the train station, there are several stalls that sells food, clothes and other souvenir items.

 

Hellfire PassMemorial Museum

Again, another 1 hour travel to this place. At the museum, you can view the entire history of the Thailand-Burma railway construction and all other important preserved items that were used during those times. We were able to watch a clip with the photos of the prisoners during the WWII.

  

The trail to Hellfire Pass

Note: After viewing at the museum and you're ready to hike, take the small path on your right when you reach the deck with a map (the first photo in black). It is quite tiring going to the Hellfire pass because it's too high, but it's better to take that route so you can go in circle. If you take the path on the left, then you will have to climb a steeper way on the other side (which we took first).

      

    

After the Hellfire Pass, we went to eat lunch at the Saiyok Noi Falls (which was our last stop).

  

We finished our itinerary by 3pm, arrive at the bus terminal at 4pm and arrived in Bangkok after 6pm. It was a long crazy ride. For the record, I spent less than 1,000 THB for this trip since all the attractions does not have an entrance fee.