Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is an administrative region in western Thailand bordering Myanmar, shaped by forested mountains and river systems. The area covers thirteen districts with several hundred villages, while the urban center shares the name of the entire region.

The Khmer left structures in this area during their westward expansion in the 12th and 13th centuries. During World War II, a railway line to Burma passed through the region, its construction claiming many forced laborers' lives.

Markets in the provincial capital display goods from border communities, bringing together traders from Myanmar and Thailand. River temples serve as sites for water ceremonies, their design adapting to the hilly terrain.

The provincial capital sits about a two-hour drive west of Bangkok and serves as a base for visiting national parks. Roads lead into mountain areas and border towns, with some sections winding through hills.

Visitors to Erawan National Park climb stairs beside a waterfall, with each of the seven tiers showing its own character. Some pools attract small fish that feed on dead skin, swimming around bathers.

Location: Thailand

Capital city: Kanchanaburi

Shares border with: Tak, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi

Website: http://kanchanaburi.go.th

GPS coordinates: 14.68950,99.02400

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05