Sathorn Pier and Taksin Bridge Area - you can board the river boat or Skytrain to any destination.
Day 15 (20.11.2012) Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (130km)
Today is getting to Kanchanaburi at 9am.
1st: by BTS Surasak (B15) to Saphan Taksin station then walked to the Sathorn Pier.
2nd: by public river boat (B15) to Phrapinklao Bridge Pier.
3rd: by public bus No.511, 507, 123 or 124 bus (B15) to the southern bus station.
4th: by public bus (B110) to Kanchanaburi
We left Bangkok Southern bus station at 11am and arrived at Kanchanaburi bus station at 1.20pm. We took a tuktuk to the Sugar Cane Guesthouse One - this guesthouse is a floating cabin on the River Kwai. After lunch at the guesthouse, Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin went for a deep in the River Kwai. Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
We then waked about 1.3km to 'The Bridge Over River Kwai' and witnessed the 6pm train passing through. We had dinner at Pai Kan restaurant which was very good and cheap.
Sleeping: Sugar-Cane Guesthouse at B550 a/c room for 2pax
Established in 1971, Chao Phraya Express Boat serves both local and tourists that ply the 21km route.
Soaring hotels and condominiums along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
The Millennium Hilton Bangkok hotel towering majestically along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Baan Chao Praya (บ้าน เจ้าพระยา) along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Chinese Temple along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Wat Kanlayanamit, influenced by Chinese architecture, is a second class royal temple, situated on the mouth of Bangkok Yai canal on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Sitting majestically on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the legendary Wat Arun is one of the most striking riverside landmarks of Thailand. This Wat or Buddhist temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology.
Public bus No.511, 507, 123 or 124 bus (B15) to the southern bus station to Kanchanaburi.
At Kanchanaburi bus station we took a tuktuk to the Sugar Cane Guesthouse One.
Sugar Cane Guest House One at 22 Soi Pakistan on River Kwai, Kanchanaburi.
Sugarcane Guesthouse One is located in the Tha Maka district of Kanchanaburi on Maenam Kwae Road. It is situated in the River Kwai bank and very accessible from the bus station. It offers 12 bungalows and 20 rafts.
Sugar Cane Guest House One at 22 Soi Pakistan on River Kwai, Kanchanaburi.
Had lunch at the Sugar Cane Guest House One.
Sugar Cane Guest House just on River Kwai! The raft houses are pretty cool, large, cleaned and comfortable.
Sugar Cane Guest House is a budget floating bungalow on the river Kwai.
A beautiful view of the river Kwai from the Sugar Cane Guest House.
After lunch at the guesthouse, Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin went for a deep in the River Kwai.
Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Ching Neng Bin swimming in River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin swimming in River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
A big fish caught by the Sugar Cane Guest House staff in Kanchanaburi.
We then waked about 1.3km on River Kwai Road to 'The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai'.
River Kwai Road in Kanchanaburi.
Kanchanaburi at Myanmar border, is home to the famous Bridge River Kwai. During WW II, Japan constructed the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles. This is now known as the Death Railway.
The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai as viewed from Kanchanaburi town.
There were actually two bridges here, both built by prisoners of war - The first (wooden) bridge was completed in February 1943, superseded a few months later by the steel bridge which you see today. The curved steel bridge spans are original, and were brought from Java by the Japanese. However, the two straight-sided spans come from Japan, and were installed after the war to replace spans destroyed by allied bombing in 1945.
The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai as viewed from Kanchanaburi town.
L-R: Ching Neng Bin, Lee Kam Boon, Tay Seok Hooi, Chew Leng Soon, Bernard Lee at Bridge Over River Kwai.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi at 7pm.
A night view of the River Kwai from the left side of the Death Railway Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
A night view of the River Kwai from the left side of the Death Railway Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Very good dinner at Pai Kan restaurant along River Kwai Road in Kanchanaburi.
A lovely dinner at Pai Kan restaurant with the heavy rain outside in Kanchanaburi.
A good authentic Thai dinner at Pai Kan restaurant in Kanchanaburi.
The proprietress of Pai Kan restaurant - she looks Japanese maybe a descendent of Japanese soldiers.
Day 16 (21.11.2012) Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi (213km)
After breakfast at 8am we rented bicycle (B50) to cycle to the Death Railway on the Bridge of River Kwai. We then walked across the bridge to see the new Kwan Yin Temple. We had cold coconut along the way to the War Cemetery.
Today is getting to Kanchanaburi at 9am.
1st: by BTS Surasak (B15) to Saphan Taksin station then walked to the Sathorn Pier.
2nd: by public river boat (B15) to Phrapinklao Bridge Pier.
3rd: by public bus No.511, 507, 123 or 124 bus (B15) to the southern bus station.
4th: by public bus (B110) to Kanchanaburi
We left Bangkok Southern bus station at 11am and arrived at Kanchanaburi bus station at 1.20pm. We took a tuktuk to the Sugar Cane Guesthouse One - this guesthouse is a floating cabin on the River Kwai. After lunch at the guesthouse, Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin went for a deep in the River Kwai. Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
We then waked about 1.3km to 'The Bridge Over River Kwai' and witnessed the 6pm train passing through. We had dinner at Pai Kan restaurant which was very good and cheap.
Sleeping: Sugar-Cane Guesthouse at B550 a/c room for 2pax
Established in 1971, Chao Phraya Express Boat serves both local and tourists that ply the 21km route.
Soaring hotels and condominiums along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
The Millennium Hilton Bangkok hotel towering majestically along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Baan Chao Praya (บ้าน เจ้าพระยา) along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Chinese Temple along Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.
Wat Kanlayanamit, influenced by Chinese architecture, is a second class royal temple, situated on the mouth of Bangkok Yai canal on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Sitting majestically on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the legendary Wat Arun is one of the most striking riverside landmarks of Thailand. This Wat or Buddhist temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology.
Public bus No.511, 507, 123 or 124 bus (B15) to the southern bus station to Kanchanaburi.
At Kanchanaburi bus station we took a tuktuk to the Sugar Cane Guesthouse One.
Sugar Cane Guest House One at 22 Soi Pakistan on River Kwai, Kanchanaburi.
Sugarcane Guesthouse One is located in the Tha Maka district of Kanchanaburi on Maenam Kwae Road. It is situated in the River Kwai bank and very accessible from the bus station. It offers 12 bungalows and 20 rafts.
Sugar Cane Guest House One at 22 Soi Pakistan on River Kwai, Kanchanaburi.
Had lunch at the Sugar Cane Guest House One.
Sugar Cane Guest House just on River Kwai! The raft houses are pretty cool, large, cleaned and comfortable.
Sugar Cane Guest House is a budget floating bungalow on the river Kwai.A beautiful view of the river Kwai from the Sugar Cane Guest House.
After lunch at the guesthouse, Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin went for a deep in the River Kwai.
Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Ching Neng Bin said, "I suppose we are the first two Malaysian to swim in this River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Ching Neng Bin swimming in River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Lee Kam Boon and Ching Neng Bin swimming in River Kwai near to the death railway bridge in Kanchanaburi.
A big fish caught by the Sugar Cane Guest House staff in Kanchanaburi.
We then waked about 1.3km on River Kwai Road to 'The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai'.
River Kwai Road in Kanchanaburi.
Kanchanaburi at Myanmar border, is home to the famous Bridge River Kwai. During WW II, Japan constructed the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles. This is now known as the Death Railway.
The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai as viewed from Kanchanaburi town.
There were actually two bridges here, both built by prisoners of war - The first (wooden) bridge was completed in February 1943, superseded a few months later by the steel bridge which you see today. The curved steel bridge spans are original, and were brought from Java by the Japanese. However, the two straight-sided spans come from Japan, and were installed after the war to replace spans destroyed by allied bombing in 1945.
The Death Railway Bridge Over River Kwai as viewed from Kanchanaburi town.
L-R: Ching Neng Bin, Lee Kam Boon, Tay Seok Hooi, Chew Leng Soon, Bernard Lee at Bridge Over River Kwai.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The bridge over the River Kwai illuminated at the 7pm last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi.
The last train returning from Hell Pass to Kanchanaburi at 7pm.
A night view of the River Kwai from the left side of the Death Railway Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
A night view of the River Kwai from the left side of the Death Railway Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Very good dinner at Pai Kan restaurant along River Kwai Road in Kanchanaburi.
A lovely dinner at Pai Kan restaurant with the heavy rain outside in Kanchanaburi.
A good authentic Thai dinner at Pai Kan restaurant in Kanchanaburi.
The proprietress of Pai Kan restaurant - she looks Japanese maybe a descendent of Japanese soldiers.
Day 16 (21.11.2012) Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi (213km)
After breakfast at 8am we rented bicycle (B50) to cycle to the Death Railway on the Bridge of River Kwai. We then walked across the bridge to see the new Kwan Yin Temple. We had cold coconut along the way to the War Cemetery.
Came back to the guesthouse to rest and had lunch before taking a tuktuk to the bus station to take the van (B175) to Sangkhlaburi in a 3.5 hours journey. Arrived at the bus station at 4.35pm and walked the 2km to P.Guesthouse. The road to Sangkhlaburi runs between the densely forested mountain
slopes of Erawan National Park and Sai Yok National Park. The small town
of Sangkhlaburi sits on a man-made lake. The population includes Karen,
Mon and Burmese, as well as Thai, so Burmese dishes and goods are sold
in local cafes and at the dry market. Thailand's longest wooden bridge
links to a Mon village across the lake.
Sleeping: P.Guesthouse and Country Resort at B950 a/c room for 2pax (add bed is B300)
Sleeping: P.Guesthouse and Country Resort at B950 a/c room for 2pax (add bed is B300)
An early morning view of River Kwai from the Sugar Cane Guest House floating bungalow verandah.
An early morning view of River Kwai from the Sugar Cane Guest House floating bungalow verandah.
Our Sugar Cane Guesthouse floating room are pretty cool, large, cleaned and comfortable.
Sugar Cane Guest House is a budget floating bungalow on the river Kwai.
Sugar Cane Guest House is a budget floating bungalow on the river Kwai.
Sugar Cane Guest House causeway connects to the guesthouse restaurant.
Sugar Cane Guest House breakfast at 8am.
Every year, River Kwai Bridge Festival is organized to mark the Allied bombing on November 28, 1944. Spectacular light and sound show is the highlight of the festival.
A small tourist train runs back and forth across the River Kwai Bridge.
Ching Neng Bin standing beside a large bomb as decoration at River Kwai Bridge.
The Death Railway Bridge over River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.
We walked through the Death Railway Bridge to visit a new Chinese Kwan Yin Temple in Kanchanaburi.
The many floating restaurants beside the Death Railway Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
A new Chinese Kwan Yin Temple on the other side of River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.
We walked through the Death Railway Bridge to visit a new Chinese Kwan Yin Temple in Kanchanaburi.
The track is developed into a walkway with side platforms. This allows crossing the Death Railway Bridge on foot. These platforms are useful as viewpoints and for avoiding trains.
We saw this bird in the Chinese Kwan Yin Temple compound in Kanchanaburi.
Chinese Kwan Yin Temple compound in Kanchanaburi.
Chinese Kwan Yin Temple compound in Kanchanaburi.
Chinese Kwan Yin Temple compound in Kanchanaburi.
War Museum at the Bridge - The private sector Museum that collects lots of World War II Stories, such as war instruments, photographs, uniforms, etc. It is located on the bank of Kwai River nearby the Bridge on the River Kwai. Inside the building is also an Art Gallery on 2nd and 3rd floor. The paintings on the second floor relate ancient battles between the Thais and Burmese, while third-floor murals tell Thai history and provide portraits of prime ministers and other important political figures.
Lee Kam Boon at the War Museum at the Bridge in Kanchanaburi.
Thai-Burmese Railway Centre (TBRC) is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. The Death Railway runs once 415 km from Ban Pong (Thailand) to Thanbuyuzayat (Burma). The museum is located next to the Don-Rak War Cemetery.
The Thailand–Burma Railway Centre is a museum and research centre in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It is privately funded and is run by Rod Beattie, an Australian who is an expert in the history of the Thailand–Burma Railway.
At the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, around 7,000 POWs, who sacrificed their lives in the railway construction, are buried. Another 2,000 are laid to rest at the Chungkai Cemetery.
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is the main prisoner of war cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment while building the Burma Railway.
This Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is located opposite Kanchanaburi's Railway Station on Saengchootoe Road. It contains the remains of 6,982 Australian, Dutch and British war prisoners who lost their lives during the construction of the Death Railway.
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
We cycled to the Kanchanaburi railway station.
Taking a tuktuk to the bus station to take the van (B175) to Sangkhlaburi in a 3.5 hours journey. - The road to Sangkhlaburi runs between the densely forested mountain slopes of Erawan National Park and Sai Yok National Park. The small town of Sangkhlaburi sits on a man-made lake. The population includes Karen, Mon and Burmese, as well as Thai, so Burmese dishes and goods are sold in local cafes and at the dry market. Thailand's longest wooden bridge links to a Mon village across the lake.
Sleeping: P.Guesthouse and Country Resort Sangkhlaburi at B950 a/c room for 2pax (add bed is B300).
P.Guesthouse and Country Resort Sangkhlaburi - the stone walls do have a bit of a Flintstones feel.
P.Guesthouse and Country Resort Sangkhlaburi - The view is just amazing right on top of the Khao Laem lake and it is superb value for the rooms, cleanliness and services from the staff. It actually feels like you're staying in an expensive resort with Khao Laem lake views from front windows.
The view of Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Wat Mon) across the Khao Laem lake from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
The view of Mon village across the Khao Laem lake from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
Sunset view over Khao Laem lake and across to the Mon village from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
Sunset view over Khao Laem lake and across to the Mon village from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
L-R: Ching Neng Bin, Lee Kam Boon, Bernard Lee taking a rest at P.Guesthouse Country Resort boat jetty.
Sunset view over Khao Laem lake and across to the Mon village from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
An impressive silhouette of Ching Neng Bin against the Khao Laem lake evening skyline taken by Lee Kam Boon.
Sunset view over Khao Laem lake and across to the Mon village from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
Sunset view over Khao Laem lake and across to the Mon village from P.Guesthouse Country Resort, Sangkhlaburi.
Day 1, 2 - KL to Chiangmai
Day 3 - Chiangmai to Thaton
Day 4 - Thaton by River Boat to Chiangrai
Day 5 - White Temple of Chiangrai
Day 6 - Chiangrai day trip to Mae Salong and Mae Fah Luang
Day 7 - Chiangrai to Phu Chi Fa
Day 8 - Phu Chi Fa to Phayao
Day 9,10 Phayao to Chiangmai to Mae Sariang
Day 11,12 - Mae Sariang to Mae Sot
Day 13,14 - Mae Sot to Bangkok
Day 15,16 - Bangkok – Kanchanaburi - Sangkhlaburi
Day 17,18 - Sangkhlaburi – Ayutthaya
Day 19-22 - Ayutthaya - Bangkok – Butterworth
Day 3 - Chiangmai to Thaton
Day 4 - Thaton by River Boat to Chiangrai
Day 5 - White Temple of Chiangrai
Day 6 - Chiangrai day trip to Mae Salong and Mae Fah Luang
Day 7 - Chiangrai to Phu Chi Fa
Day 8 - Phu Chi Fa to Phayao
Day 9,10 Phayao to Chiangmai to Mae Sariang
Day 11,12 - Mae Sariang to Mae Sot
Day 13,14 - Mae Sot to Bangkok
Day 15,16 - Bangkok – Kanchanaburi - Sangkhlaburi
Day 17,18 - Sangkhlaburi – Ayutthaya
Day 19-22 - Ayutthaya - Bangkok – Butterworth
| Day | Expenses | THB total | per pax |
| 15 | BTS to saphan taksin | 75 | 15 |
| boat Saphan taksin to phrapingklao pier | 75 | 15 | |
| bus to southern bus station 15 X 5 | 75 | 15 | |
| bus Bangkok to kanchanaburi | 550 | 110 | |
| drinks | 40 | 8 | |
| noodles | 150 | 30 | |
| sawngthaew to Sugar Cane1 guesthouse | 100 | 20 | |
| lunch | 480 | 96 | |
| room @ Sugar Cane 1 guesthse (550 X 3) | 1,650 | 330 | |
| coconut | 100 | 20 | |
| dinner | 500 | 100 | |
| water | 50 | 10 | |
| 7rd collection : TB2,000 x 5 pax | |||
| 16 | Rental of 5 bicycles | 250 | 50 |
| Breakfast | 380 | 76 | |
| 5 coconuts | 100 | 20 | |
| Lunch | 325 | 65 | |
| Tuktuk to bus station | 100 | 20 | |
| Van to Sangkhaburi | 875 | 175 | |
| P Guesthouse for 2 nights | 4,400 | 880 | |
| Dinner at P Guesthouse | 745 | 149 |
/// Northern Thailand Adventure, Mountains, Rivers and Temples 6th to 27th November 2012
1. Back in 2004 I was there at Bangkok & Kanchanaburi. At Sathorn Pier,the Express Boat that crosses the Chao Phraya seems more comfortable now.
ReplyDelete2.Read that Bangkok is sinking by inches every year; wonder how the muddy shoreline could withstand the heavy weight of the sprouting high rise hotels and buildings.
3. Did not know there's bus service
linking BK and Kanchanaburi. We paid Bhat 1200 per pax for day tour by van to Death Railway War Museum & River Kwai, Cemetery, lunch & boarded train to and fro a village some 20 kms away.
4.You didn't introduce the charming White lady sitting next to you at Pai Kan Restaurant, River Kwai Road.
5.Room at floating Guesthouse looks clean & comfy, and the scene out to the river are great.
6. Back in 2004 the colorful Chu-Chu train for tourists was not there yet over the bridge at River Kwai.
7.KB took nice shot of you with silhouette outlining your body shape. The perspective is clear. Good one to go down memory of travels.
Nice reading touring experience, it is enticing interest for more travel. Regards,
Alan
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