West of Bangkok, the provincial town of Kanchanaburi, not far from the Myanmar border resonates with western tourists, particularly the British, as the site of the infamous ‘Death Railway,’ and the River Kwai Bridge, a big draw for those interested in the second world war, relatives of the Allied POWs who died in its construction, remaining survivors, and aficionados of the famous film.
RIVER KWAI
The experience is enhanced and re-enforced with visits to the Allied War Cemetery, Death Railway museum and the J.E.A.T.H. War museum, which contains a replica of the bamboo huts used to house allied prisoners.
Beyond the town, the amazing Wat Tham Sua and its golden Bhuddha make a spectacular sight to lighten the mood.
NAKHON PATHOM
En route to Kachanaburi, the landscaped Rose Garden at Nakhon Pathom plays host to the Thai Village Cultural show, a celebration of traditional Thai music, folk dances, wedding ceremonies, Thai boxing, weaving displays and an elephant show.
KAENG KRACHAN NATIONAL PARK
To the south, entering the head of the Malay Peninsula, Thailand’s largest National Park, Kaeng Krachan is home to over 300 bird species, and is also a sanctuary for mammals such as elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, monkeys and deer, offering good treks to the Tho Thip waterfall or to the top of its highest peak, Phanoen Tung.