Kanchanaburi Trip

[adman5000]

On my next trip to Thailand I want to take a few short trips with my boyfriend to enjoy parts of Thailand I have not yet visited. One such trip I want to take is to Kanchanaburi and then onto Erawan falls. Can anyone comment on the train versus the bus in terms of comparable comfort and views? Any hotels you can suggest with electricity and reasonable comfort/location? I searched for trip reports but did not find much here.

I have been to neighboring countries as well as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Rayong/Ko Samet. Any other suggestions are welcome. I am not a bar or disco fanatic. I prefer the outdoor beauty, people, culture, music, and food experiences.

I'll be going May-June.

[TrongpaiExpat]

I have been several times. The bus is quicker but I prefer the train. The Train is something like 30 Thai price and 230 for Farang. The bus is the same for Farang and Thai, something like 100B.

Most of the river resorts listed in web sites like Precision are not in town. Many of the small resorts on the river like Sam's and Apple's don't have web sites. There is one big hotel, River Kwai Hotel, it is ok but nothing special, basic and clean. They have a pool, disco on first floor and a huge straight soap massage venue next door.

Transportation to Erawan from the town is not good. The bus is cheap but not AC. You can arrange other means via your hotel that might be better for you. Rental cars in town are hard to come by.

Be careful that the hotel or river guest house is not in ear shot of a disco if that bothers you. Kanchanaburi is a big party town. There are river boat discos as well.

There are 7 levels to the falls. 5 and 6 are in my opinion the best. From 6 to 7 is not an easy path. 1,2, and 3 are the picnic and swim levels. No food above 3. Plenty of food and supplies at the entrance to the park.

May and June are low seasons, if your not going on a weekend, you might just be able to get in town and look around for a room, if your not into advance planing. If you want to plan, get a current copy of Lonely Planet and check out the Kanchanaburi section. Most of the guest houses are listed there.

If you arrive by train you will be met by a tout with a songtow or some means of transport. They are more trouble then they are worth. They will even offer free transport to a guest house, where he gets a commision that you pay when you pay more for the room. Share songtows work the major roads, or walk to a guest house.

Further along, Hellfire pass is an interesting stop.

Don’t miss a trip to the Tiger Temple or Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua which is about 40 km from town along highway 323.
The temple is a sanctuary for wild animals including several rare wild tigers, deer, wild pigs, buffalos, monkeys, antelopes, and other animals.

The tigers leaving their cage from around 15 to 17 h. Visitors can even touch them or take photos with tigers (usually for a small fee).

There is a large scam with River Kwai Railway Bridge going on. This is just good for tourism. It is a big show but the truth behind is something very different. Actually the famous movie featuring “Bridge on the River Kwai” have been shoot in Sri Lanka.

Railway fare for Thai and foreigners are the same. For around 30 TBT in third class, no aircon, boogie + fun up to first class aircon express trains. Thai railway does not have a dual price system.

Love threads like this - sounds like a tempting place to visit - thanks!

[TrongpaiExpat]

There was a documentary on the Discovery channel or A and E, History vrs. Hollywood that compared the true story of the death railroad to the movie, Bridge over the River Kwai. Still, a snappy tune to whistle while walking about.

I would skip the Tiger temple, just my opinion.

The RR that TTom is talking about is from Kanchanaburi to the end of the line, I would skip that too.

There are several tourist museums in town, the best, is the one way out of town at Hellfire pass. Most Thai boys are not very interested in the History. Many Thais consider WW2 to be some sort of a farang event and noting to do with them.

There has been a few trip reports before on Kanchanburi, try search again. Maybe you have to go to the old board too?

[adman5000]

Thanks a lot for the useful information and suggestions. I'll go back and look for the trip reports. I know I cut and pasted the trip report on Udon Thani a while back for future reference.

Yes, I enjoy these kinds of discussions as well as I always learn something useful versus learning who I need to add to my IGNORE button. :cheese:

[Dodger]

You may want to consider a 3 or 4 day tour package to Kanchanaburi.

Boy Special and I did the 3 day trip once and had a great time. Your primary transportation is in a luxury mini bus complete with A/C, fully reclinable seats, TV, CD player, etc. and holds up to 8 persons. The trip includes a visit to the floating market in Bangkok aboard a long boat (great fun), short visit to the Kanchanaburio war cemetary (short is good), a one hour ride alng the Kwai River on the old and very rustic railway system (another fun experience), an afternoon at the infamous Bridge, a sleepover on a floating teak house resort (great Thai food - private bamboo deck - romanic), breakfast served on a large raft while you're being towed down the scenic Kwai River, a short (2 hour) elephant trek in the jungles along the river (about 20 minutes of that trek are actaully in the River - Splish Splash), and finally the ride home with several stops along the way at scenic parks, etc.

I purchased the tour from that small Tour place on the corner of Second Road & Soi 2 (Pattayaland). Can't remember the actual cost - but it was very reasonable.

I enjoyed the whole trip, although could have stayed on that floating teak house for the entire durartion with no compliants. I remember waking up in the early morning hours and walked out on that bamboo deck to see the fog drifting mysteriously a few feet above the surface of the river. It was a awesome sight. The air was filled with the sounds of the jungle providing a tranquil and exotic setting that can't be described with words. Boy Special appeared at the door standing naked with a can of orange juice in his hand...another undescribable vision. He offered me a sip of his juice...and I accepted. The sounds of his faint groans blended harmonioulsy with the sounds of the jungle.

I think I've just talked myself into a return trip...LOL

Mai pen rai

Love threads like this - sounds like a tempting place to visit - thanks!

It's a nice place indeed and you can make pictures over there to impress your Thai friends. I have posted some of these before.
I must add that visitor safety is not really a hot item at this temple.

http://upload7.postimage.org/70454/DSCN7037b.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/70454/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload7.postimage.org/70502/DSCN7077A.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/70502/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload7.postimage.org/70527/DSCN7079Acopy.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/70527/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload7.postimage.org/70570/DSCN7083b.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/70570/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload7.postimage.org/70640/DSCN7088A.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/70640/photo_hosting.html)

[jvt22222]

I went to River Kwai for one night with a visiting USA friend. One night because that is all the time she had on this visit. Would have loved to have spent longer to see all the things fellow posters are talking about. Stayed on one of the raft hotels which was fun. We rented a car with a driver for 1500 baht per day plus fuel and tip to driver. That way we had total control over the itinerary/schedule and were able to see all we wanted to at our own pace. May cost a little more (keep in mind that you pay for both of you when going by bus or train and taxi's etc.), but in my opinion well worth the extra cost. I can give you the contact number for the car if you wish.

I went to River Kwai for one night with a visiting USA friend. One night because that is all the time she had on this visit. Would have loved to have spent longer to see all the things fellow posters are talking about. Stayed on one of the raft hotels which was fun. We rented a car with a driver for 1500 baht per day plus fuel and tip to driver. That way we had total control over the itinerary/schedule and were able to see all we wanted to at our own pace. May cost a little more (keep in mind that you pay for both of you when going by bus or train and taxi's etc.), but in my opinion well worth the extra cost. I can give you the contact number for the car if you wish.

I would not suggest to rent a car for a day, for the same price or less you can hire a taxi for he whole day. And the driver knows the area, and can take you everywhere you like- and is able to show you some more places of interests.

[jvt22222]

I guess you could call the car that I discussed in my posting could be called a taxi........... a hired car with a driver.

[Surfcrest]

www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1205 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1205)

This one is going back to 2005, although the ground transport
wouldn't have changed much since.

Surfcrest

[adman5000]

Thanks for providing such great information. For some reason my search hadn't pulled that up.