A destination to dream about
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There's nothing quite as lush as Kanchanaburi in the rainy season
While it’s a great place to visit the whole year around, Kanchanaburi province in Thailand’s west really comes into its own from June to October, when the rains turn the scenery green and lush and fill the waterfalls.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently set out to show the media why Kanchanaburi has been designated a dream destination with an Amazing Thailand road trip that saw participants travelling in vintage cars to visit a range of historical and natural attractions.
The caravan’s first stop was the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, known locally as the Don-Rak War Cemetery, which is home to the remains of 6,982 allied prisoners-of-war who perished during the construction of the Death Railway under the supervision of Japanese Imperialism Army.
The 415-kilometre railway was built to connect Thailand and Myanmar to secure supplies to the Japanese army during their Greater East-Asian War.
The bridge, together with the Death Railway, is now regarded a symbol of peace, underlining the reality portraying that war benefits no one. State Railway of Thailand now offers train trips along the Death Railway, running from Bangkok to Noktok Station, on weekends and public holidays.
The caravan also stopped at Krasae Cave where the allied prisoners-of-war working on the railway were able to rest. A popular viewpoint, it looks over the railway and a bend in the Khwae Noi or Kwai River.
The next stage in the journey along Highway 323 takes the caravan through the lush tropical forest towards Vajiralongkorn Dam, formerly known as Khao Laem Dam.
Located at Tambon Tha Khanun 153 km, the concrete-faced rockfill dam lies across the Khwae Noi River and is popular with raft enthusiasts.
Campsites and resorts dot the same town of Thong Phaphum where it is traditional to rise early and join the locals in offering food to the monks then follow the monks up the mountaintop Tha Khanun Temple to take in the view.
Just 150 km from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is an ideal location for a weekend escape not matter whether you prefer to just chill along the river and fish or boost your adrenaline with ATV rides, rafting and hikes through the hills.
