Just over two hours from Bangkok, the town of Kanchanaburi has a rich history and is home to some gorgeous natural beauty. There are plenty of things to do in Kanchanaburi, starting with a visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai. The JEATH War Museum and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery are also must-sees when you’re in town. To balance the heaviness of hearing about the tragedies that occurred during the railroad’s construction, take a trip out to Erawan National Park, where you can explore, dive, and relax in the tiered pools of the waterfalls.
The best time to visit Kanchanaburi is in the winter, from November through February. The weather is dry, which makes touring most comfortable. In the summertime you’ll face the monsoon, when rains can go on for days. Keep in mind that it will still be hot in the winter, so be prepared. Songkran (Thai New Year) happens in April, but it’s up to you whether or not you want to go searching for water fights in the streets.
If you want to use a ride sharing app, Grab works really well in Kanchanaburi and all of Thailand. There’s no subway, but there are public buses around town. This works well to get out to Erawan Falls and back. Another fun option is to hire a bike and cycle around the town at your leisure, stopping to shop, eat street food, and observe local culture.
Be sure to give yourself a break from the heaviness of the JEATH War Museum and the history of how the Thai-Burmese railroad and the Bridge Over the River Kwai were built. Take time out to wander around the street vendors outside of the museum, as it’ll no doubt be hot. Keep an eye out for the ice cream sandwich vendors who sell just that—two simple pieces of white bread with a scoop of ice cream in the middle. Genius.
