Thailand Tour Agency

Description

KANCHANABURI HISTORIC
Kanchanaburi is 129 kilometers west of Bangkok A mountainous province it is the origin of the Kwai Noi River and the Kwai Yai River. Which merge and form the Mae Klong River at Pak Phraek district.
Archaeological excavations reveal that Kanchanaburi was home of pre-historic communities during the old stone age,
The Middle stone age, and the new stone age, these communities were mostly located in the river basins. In a small local museum in Ban Kao Sub district, there are displays of bones and artifacts of the early dwellers of this region.
During the Dvaravati period, Kanchanaburi was culturally influenced by its two powerful neighbors, Nakhon Pathum and U-Thong, two main centers of civilization at that time. When these were re-placed by Khmer dominion, Kanchanaburi was also part of their mighty kingdom. One of the finest examples of Khmer architecture is still well preserved in the province. This is the Prasit Mung, Singh Shrine, situated not very far from the Ban Kao Museum.
Later, during the Ayutthaya period, Kanchanaburi became a key border town facing Burma. Many fierce Thai-Burmese battles were fought here, even as late as during the reign of King Rama III of the Chakri Dynasty.
In 1743 king Rama III ordered the walls and fortresses to be built at the Pak Phraek District area, where the Mae Klong River begins. The place remained the center of the town until very recently when a new town hall was built two kilometers further south.
Kanchanaburi played as an important part in the history of the Second World War. Thousands of the Allied prisoners-of-war died during the construction of the Death Railway to link Thailand and Burma. The bridge on the river Kwai still stands as a witness to this tragic event.
THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI
The bridge crosses the Kwai Yai River at MA-Kham sub district, about four kilometers from the town center.
The Japanese Army wanted a route to transport troops and supplies between Burma and Thailand at the peak of World War II. A new railroad was constructed from the Southern Railway of Thailand. Passing through Kanchanaburi. Crossing the Kwai Yai River and stretching along the Kwai Noi River into the Burmese territory and ending at the Thanbyuzayat Station. The entire distance was 415km. 304 km in Thailand and 111 km. in Burma. The construction began in October 1942 and was completed a year later.
Workers for this railroad project were prisoners of war mostly from Britain. Such a tremendous number of these prisoners of war lost their life from hunger, diseases, and hard labor that the name Death Railway was given to it. Almost at the end of the war the Allies bombed the Bridge. After the war ended in 1945 four kilometers of the railroad from the Burmese – Thai border was demolished by the British army. The remaining 300km. was sold to the State Railway Authority of Thailand in 1947 at a price of 50million baht. Now only 130km. is being used.
ALLIED SOLDIER CEMETERIES The prisoners of war died during the construction of the Death Railway are buried in 2 cemeteries.
Kanchanaburi Cemetery (Don Rak) is behind the railway station 6,982 Allied soldiers are buried here. The cemetery covers a very large compound which is well taken care of and deco-rated with beautiful plants and trees.
Khao Poon Cemetery (Chong Kai) was originally the site of one of the main prisoners of war camps located on the right bank of Kwai Yai River. It is about 2 km. from the town center and can be reached only by boat. This is a small cemetery with 1,750 soldiers buried there.
War Museum This museum is a replica of prisoners of war camp during World War II The museum itself is a small thatch roofed hut. Inside are displays of paintings. Drawings and pictures of life in the camp during the war. Many of the items on display have been donated by former prisoners of war and their families.