Kanchanaburi: Dreamy Charm Along the Kwai River

Embarking on my first journey of the year to the land of golden temples, I had the opportunity to experience the intriguing aspects of serene Kanchanaburi.

Kanchanaburi: Dreamy Charm Along the Kwai River

Listed as one of the countries in the popular tourist destinations, Thailand truly lived up to my expectations.

Arriving at this destination at the beginning of the new year, I was genuinely drawn to a familiar yet refreshed destination.

Leaving the bustling Bangkok behind, I embarked on a journey to the serene countryside of Kanchanaburi province in central Thailand, about 130 km from the capital city.

Nestled amidst vast valley terrain, enveloped by dense mountain forests and the serene Kwai River, Kanchanaburi is favored by nature with its cool climate. It's an ideal choice for those seeking tranquility in their souls after days of exhausting work.

Seeking novelty for the journey, instead of opting for a ferry, I decided to go for a train ride. The bustling train journey rolls from Thon Buri Station along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and takes 2 and a half hours to reach Kanchanaburi Station.

The train consists of multiple carriages for passengers, resembling a market train, with old-fashioned interiors featuring a few rows of seats arranged both horizontally and vertically, alongside a spacious area for standing passengers if it gets crowded. Train tickets do not indicate seat numbers; it's first-come, first-served for choosing a good seat.

There are even wandering vendors aboard the train, inviting passengers. Though the train lacks air conditioning and fans, the windows are wide open, allowing the breeze to swirl freely inside.

Information about the Kanchanaburi region on various websites is scarce. Therefore, inquiring about backpacking in the town is challenging. Moreover, not all Thai people are proficient in English, especially in rural areas, where their English proficiency is even more limited. My only option was to navigate using the Google Maps application.

I flagged down a songthaew (a cheap public transport vehicle in Thailand, similar to Vietnam's 'xe lam' but larger) outside Kanchanaburi Station, handing over a piece of paper with the hotel address and map I had prepared from Vietnam.

Yet, I encountered difficulties as the taxi driver couldn't understand Thai written in Latin phonetics. The hotel where I stayed in Kanchanaburi was quite far from the town center, after numerous twists and turns, I finally arrived. This hotel is about 2km away from the famous Kwai River Bridge.

After checking into the hotel, I ventured out to find a place to rent a motorbike to explore the rural areas of Kanchanaburi. The rental place offered services for bicycles, scooters, and high-end motorcycles.

It took me quite some time to get used to driving on the left side of the road (opposite to Vietnam).

The roads in Kanchanaburi town are not as busy as in the city, bringing a sense of tranquility no matter the time of day. The rural houses are scattered with spacious gardens, adorned with lush greenery.

According to the map, I rode to the north side of the Kwai River Bridge, a famous landmark in Kanchanaburi province. I learned about this bridge from the classic movie 'Bridge on the River Kwai,' depicting World War II events, adapted from a French novel and awarded an Oscar in 1957.

The film portrays the scene of prisoners of war ordered by the Japanese army to build a bridge over the River Kwai to connect the Thai railway line to Myanmar, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties due to exhaustion during construction.

Adjacent to the entrance of the bridge is an outdoor exhibit showcasing the original front parts of the World War II-era train that once ran across the Kwai bridge. Every tourist can touch and take commemorative photos.

The Kwai Bridge features white-painted cement piers, with the main structure consisting of 11 wooden and iron spans. I leisurely walked along the railway tracks on the bridge, feeling the cool breeze tousling my hair.

At the protruding sections of the bridge, I paused to admire the vast expanse of the river, the distant low-roofed houses. It's hard to believe that this serene and picturesque scene was once a fierce battlefield during World War II.

Driving along the 3228 highway, about 5 km from the town, I spotted a Buddha statue at Tham Khao Poon Temple on a hilltop.

I turned at the junction and drove straight up the hill. A magnificent natural landscape unfolded before me - tourist boats gliding peacefully on the winding Kwai River, Thai music playing in the background, lush green trees, and in the distance, undulating mountain ranges.

On the hill, there's a section of railway crossing along with a vintage train still preserved. Nowadays, the train is regularly operated to allow tourists to experience the 'Death Railway' route in history. That's how the Thais do tourism!

Source: Pham Ngoc Hanh/Tuoi Tre

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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour