Kanchanaburi Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions Kanchanaburi

Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan

It is a complex of caves located in Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan Meditation Centre near a small mountain. Each cave has a specific name based on their characteristics; such as Tham Badan with knee-leveled water, Tham Phopu Ruesi, Tham Kaeo Morakot, Tham Keao Sawan Bandan, and Tham Kaeo with stalactites and stalagmites that glitter like a powder of diamond when light shines on them. 

Please dress neatly with comfortable shoes. Be careful when visiting some caves which have a sloping stone mound; also in some caves you have to kneel down and crawl through the stone holes. It takes at least 6 hours to visit all caves. 

To get there, take the route Sangkhla Buri-Three Pagodas Pass and turn right at Km. 16 near the roadside shelter. Drive along the dirt road for about 800 metres then turn right. Go on for 200 metres until you arrive at the meditation centre where the cave is situated. Tourists can ask for more information about the cave from the monks who reside in the meditation centre area.

Vajiralongkorn Dam

Vajiralongkorn Dam, formerly known as Khao Laem Dam, located at Tambon Tha Khanun 153 km. from Kanchanaburi on Highway 323, 6 km. to the north of Amphoe Thong Pha Phum. It is a rockfill dam with a reinforced concrete surface measuring 92 metres high. Its crest is 10 metres wide and 1,019 metres long stretching across the Khwae Noi River. It is a multi–purpose hydro–electric plant with natural beauty and a scenic lake where rafting boats for rent are available. There is also floating accommodation and cruising boats available 3 km. beyond the entrance to the dam. A boat trip on the lake with a stop at a coconut grove (Maphrao Kathi – a fleshy variety of coconut) on an island in the lake takes 1 hour from the dam. Advance bookings with the Thong Pha Phum District Office is required. Accommodation and boat (for group visitors) is provided. For more details, please contact the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Tel. 0 3459 9077 ext. 2502 and 2506, 0 3459 8030 or Bangkok, Tel. 0 2436 6046 – 8.

Prommitr Film Studio

Located at Surasi Military Camp, Tambon Lat Ya, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, in Western Thailand, this studio was the location of the great historic film "The Legend of King Naresuan".  This epic trilogy of historical movies reflects the relationship between the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya and the Hongsawadi Kingdoms, which are located in present-day Burma.  The events in the films lead up to the declaration of Ayutthaya's independence from the Burmese, by King Naresuan the Great, in 1584.  Lavish and expensive, this production represents the pinnacle of Thai film-making.

Within the 700-acre compound of wild land, magnificent buildings were created through meticulous historical research.  Visitors can enjoy magnificent palace replicas and gleamingly gilded halls, pagodas, temples and ancient villages of both the Ayutthaya and Hongsawadi Kingdoms.  One of the highlights from past Ayutthaya is Sanphet Prasat Palace, which has been left as a ruin due to Ayutthaya’s 2nd loss to Burma when everything was totally razed and burnt; at present only the brick foundations of this palace can be seen. The Palace showcases the incomparable magnificence of the Ayutthaya Court.

Other interesting highlights are the Weapons Storage Room, Hongsawadi Wall, the Lion Throne, the Dungeon, the Portuguese Gun Exhibit, Ayutthaya Wall, and the Props Storage Room.  Visitors tired out by a long day of sightseeing may want to relax with a traditional Thai massage, which is available on-site.  Furthermore, visitors can also enjoy various activities such as dressing in traditional historic costumes (a unique souvenir photo opportunity!), as well as horse, elephant and cart riding.  The studio compound also includes souvenir shops.

A pair of huge Singha statues (mythical lions mixed with other creatures) welcomes visitors at the entrance to the compound.  A brochure and map, as well as a brief introductory lecture about the Studio are provided at the Information Centre where visitors pay the entrance fee.  There are also guide lecturers stationed at various spots, and plasma screens giving historical background and describing scenes from the Naresuan films.  The guided sightseeing walk takes approximately 2 hours.

Visiting Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day. Ticket: 200 baht.

Getting There:
By car:
Prommitr Film Studio is about 24 kilometres away from Kanchanaburi Town. Take Route 3199 Kanchanaburi – Srinakarin Dam for 18 kilometres to Lat Ya Intersection.  From there, take the right turn and continue past Surasi Military Camp for another 3 kilometres till you reach the studio entrance.  Follow the signs for another 2 kilometres.

By public transportation:
Take a song thaew (a pickup truck with two rows of bench seats down the sides) from Kanchanaburi Town to Lat Ya Intersection. From this intersection, visitors will have to set an appointment with a driver and negotiate the price.

For more information, contact Prommitr Film Studio Company, tel. 0 3453 2057 or 0 3453 2058, fax. 0 3453 2056.
Bangkok Office tel. 0 2736 2300
www.prommitrfilmstudio.com

Erawan National Park

The national park is 65 kilometers from Kanchanaburi along Route 3199. The park, covering 550-square-kilometers, is the site of the seven-tiered Erawan waterfall, one of Thailands loveliest waterfalls. The second tier has a pool, which is ideal for swimming and is particularly picturesque. However, the most popular activity in the park is trekking. Bungalow accommodations and camping facilities and a daytime food market are available.

 Shelters and camping are available for tourists in the park. Admission is Bt400 for adults and Bt200 for children. For more details, please contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760 or ‘www.dnp.go.th’ or Erawan National park Tel. 0 3457 4722, 0 3457 4234 

Visitors may take a bus departing from the Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal to the waterfall every 50 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5.20 p.m. The journey takes 1.5 hours.

Srinagarindra Dam

It is the largest rockfill dam with a clay core in Thailand, situated on the Khwae Yai River, approximately 4 km. from Namtok Erawan in the north of the Khwae Yai River. We can take advantage of this multi-purpose dam in irrigation, flood damage relief in the Mae Klong Basin, electricity generation, and fishery. The place above the dam ridge is suitable for relaxation, as it has some attractive sights.

Srinagarindra Dam is 70 km. from the provincial city on Highway 3177 (Kanchanaburi-Si Sawat). Accommodation for tourists is provided at the dam. For further details, please contact the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), at Tel. 0 2436 6046-8. For accommodation and cruising restaurants, please contact Tel. 0 3457 4001 ext. 2455, 2457.

Sri Nakarin National Park

It was announced on 23 December, 1981, to be a national park with an area of 953,500 rai (1,496,800,000 square metres). Interesting tourist attractions are as follows: 

Tham Sawan The cave has just been discovered in the area of Khuean Srinagarindra National Park, near Ban Ton Maphrao, Tambon Mae Krabung, Amphoe Si Sawat. The characteristic of the cave is a natural hole which is 9 metres wide, 9 metres high and 150 metres long. There are also prehistoric cave paintings. To get there, the cave is situated on the way from Namtok Huai Mae Khamin to Namtok Erawan. Turn right at Ban Ton Maphrao School and go straight on for 1.5 km. until getting to Ban Ton Maphrao. Take a car from the village to the entrance of the cave another 500 metres. A four-wheeled drive car and a local guide from Ban Ton Maphrao are suggested. 

Tham Neramit It is a massive cave divided into many rooms with amazing strangely-formed stalagmites and stalactites, located 10 km. before Namtok Huai Mae Khamin. Go along the way to Wat Tham Neramit for 2 km. and walk on for 300 metres. 4 km. from the cave; another three large caves; Tham Nam Mut, Tham Phra Prang and Tham Phra Kho, are situated. Please contact guides or Khuean Srinagarindra National Park officials. Travelling by a pick-up or four-wheeled drive car is recommended. 

Tham Nam Mut It is situated in the area of Khuean Srinagarindra National Park in Ban Nam Mut, Tambon Mae Krabung. Its entrance is 15 metres in width and 10 metres in height. It contains a deep hole and stream continuously flowing out of the cave. 

Tham Phra Prang It is another massive beautiful cave of Kanchanaburi, located in the area of Khuean Srinagarindra National Park in Ban Nam Mut, Tambon Mae Krabung. It is divided into many rooms with stalagmites and stalactites. To get there, take the route to Namtok Erawan, 11 km. before getting to Namtok Huai Mae Khamin. Turn left, pass through Wat Nam Mut for about 500 metres and park the car at the foothill behind the temple. Use the lane to climb up to the cave about 400 metres to reach the entrance of the cave. From the car park, in the northwest with a height of 130 metres, you can find Tham Phra Kho. 

Namtok Huai Mae Khamin It is situated near the National Park Office on the Srinagarindra Dam lakeside, 108 km. from Kanchanaburi. Covered with diverse kinds of plants, its water source is on the dry evergreen Kala Mountains in the east of the park flowing down to Srinagarindra Dam. It is one of the most beautiful cascades with 7 levels; named, Dong Wan, Man Khamin, Wang Na Pha, Chat Kaeo, Lai Chon Long, Dong Phisuea and Rom Klao. The national park has made a pathway for people climbing up to each level along the natural study route. Visiting the waterfall in October to April is suggested. Accommodation and camping site are available for tourists including restaurants and slide projecting at night. Admission is Bt400 for adults and Bt200 for children. For more details, contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok, at Tel. 0 2562 0760 or www.dnp.go.th. 

Sai Yok National Park

The park covers approximately 300-square-kilometers and contains several interesting caves and the nations famous Sai Yok Yai waterfall. The park has dense forests, including majestic teak trees and an abundance of small mammals such as squirrels, bats and deer, as well as numerous bird species. IN addition, the park is home to what is probably the smallest mammal in the world, the two-grammed Kittis Hog-nosed Bat, which was first discovered in 1973 by a Thai naturalist. The park is 104 kilometers from Kanchanaburi via Highway No. 323 and can also be reached by chartered boat from the Pak Saeng Pier. The park is very popular during the weekends. Bungalow accommodations, river rafts, camping facilities, and a daytime food market are available.

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall (Namtok Sai Yok Yai), which is located 104 kilometers from the town, flows directly into Khwae Noi River. Its idyllic beauty has been repeatedly celebrated in Thai poetry and songs. A rope bridge enables people to cross the river to view the waterfall. Rafts are available for a river trip along the riverbank but advance booking is recommended.

Lawa Cave and Daowadung Cave are two caves, which house numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Of the two caves, the Daowadueng Cave, which entails a river trip and 1-kilometer walk, is the more popular cave.

Tham Wang Badan or Tham Sawan Wang Badan, located within the area of Erawan National Park at Tambon Tha Sao, Amphoe Sai Yok, some 63 km. from the province. It is accessible from behind Namtok Sai Yok Noi where there is a direction sign of 3 km. to the national park’s safeguard unit, a location of the upstream of Namtok Sai Yok. Another 1,500–metre walk from the safeguard unit will lead to the cave with nature interpretation signs along the way. Tham Wang Badan is a small but deep cave of 500 metres long. It is a 2-storeyed limestone cave with a small hole at the mouth to be entered one by one. Its upper storey houses various chambers of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites of different shapes. The lower storey contains a stream to look like a tunnel of water under a large boulder.

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall (Namtok Sai Yok Noi) is also dubbed as Khao Phang Waterfall. It is situated 60 kilometers from town via Highway No. 323. The place is best visited between July and September.

To get to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall:non air-conditioned buses leave Kanchanaburi Bus Station every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. The journey takes 2 hours and costs 25 baht.

Alternatively, visitors can take a train from Kanchanaburi to Namtok Station and continue on foot or by local transport to the waterfall, which is 2 kilometers away. Trains depart from Kanchanaburi at 6.11 a.m., 11 a.m. and 4.37 p.m. and return from Namtok Station at 5.25 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3.15 p.m. The one-way rail trip takes about 2 hours and costs 17 baht. (Please check the current schedule from TAT Kanchanaburi or the railway station before departure.)

Sai Yok Elephant Village

Located at Mu 3 Ban Lum Phueng, Tambon Lum Sum and offering a 30-minute nature trek on elephant and rafting. There is a daily elephant show during 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. To get there, from Kanchanaburi, take the Sai Yok – Thong Pha Phum route for some 30 minutes to around Km. 45, or a train and get off at Wang Pho Station. Open daily during 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. For a group visit, please contact in advance. Tel. 0 3459 1255, 0 3459 1102, 08 1878 9979. 

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