Thinking of going to Kanchaburi with Thai GF

[kingstonkid]

I know that there are a lot of guided tours from BKK.

 

I am wondering if it is better to take them or to travel on my own. I want to see the military sites as well as have a nice weekend away.

 

Any assistance would be greatfully appreciated

 

 

[Woof999]

I take it you mean Kanchanaburi?

[msbkk]

No need to book a guided tour from Bangkok. If you have an accomodation in the tourist district Maenamkwai Road there are lots of

travel agencies to arrange everything. For most destinations you can also use public transportation if needed. There are motorcycles

and cars for rent as well.

[impulse]

K-Buri is my favorite weekend getaway from Bangkok.  Like msbkk, I wouldn't bother with a guided tour.  When you get there, hook up with one of the 3 wheeled sidecar scooter drivers (or a pickup taxi if you're into safety) and they can show you everything.  Don't miss the 2 cemeteries, 3 museums (JEATH by the bridge, the Aussie run one by the allied cemetery and one other whose location escapes my leaky brain.   The Aussie run one is the "best", but don't miss the JEATH for lots of eclectic stuff.

 

Take a longtail boat ride from under the bridge for 800 baht to go to the other cemetery.  Hit the night market by the train station for great street food.  Except on Saturday night, hit the night market under the glass elevated walkway.   Both amazing night markets for food.

 

If you have the time, a side trip to Hellfire Pass is worthwhile, but carve out half a day, at least.  Makes it tough on just a weekend.

 

For location and budget, I love the Kanchanaburi City hotel.  On the water when I had my kayaks, I liked The Zeit.  But there's a ton of great, cheap hotels and some high end hotels that won't disappoint if you need to impress a babe.

 

[NoDisplayName]

C'mon, man!

You gotta ride the train.

 

How to visit Kanchanaburi & the Bridge on the River Kwai

https://www.seat61.com/bridge-on-the-river-kwai.htm

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

I know that there are a lot of guided tours from BKK.

 

I am wondering if it is better to take them or to travel on my own. I want to see the military sites as well as have a nice weekend away.

 

Any assistance would be greatfully appreciated

 

 

 

Is your Thai GF not willing to do some guiding? Yes there are tours, but unless you want tp pay premium for the private car, escorted sort of tour, it's usually in a busy minivan.

 

Kanchanaburi is a very easy DIY tourist destination, and much nicer if you have company you know (like a Thai GF).

[still kicking]

Yes, nice place I used to live nearby in Ratchaburi been in Kanchanaburi many times make sure you visit the Cemetry and museum. 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

8 hours ago, impulse said:

If you have the time, a side trip to Hellfire Pass is worthwhile, but carve out half a day, at least.

That's a must see IMO. Must see museum there as well.

 

I went with a tour that only included travel on big bus and resort hotel with big swimming pool, water slide near the river. I stayed in a river raft room, but that was a mistake because of the noisy boats on the river. They had a boat trip to see a cave if that's interesting- I thought it was.

I'd take the GF but go on the sightseeing alone, unless she was interested. They are usually OK alone for the day.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Is your Thai GF not willing to do some guiding? Yes there are tours, but unless you want tp pay premium for the private car, escorted sort of tour, it's usually in a busy minivan.

 

Kanchanaburi is a very easy DIY tourist destination, and much nicer if you have company you know (like a Thai GF).

Why would his Thai GF know any more about it than he does, unless she lived there?

[still kicking]

8 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Why would his Thai GF know any more about it than he does, unless she lived there?

Wrong, my than Thai girlfriend knew a lot about that place, and I knew nothing. So don't put Thais down all the time. This is a pic from many years ago.

 

[KhunLA]

Why would a Thai care about K-buri, aside from a nice riverside town to relax at and take a selfie.   Unless they saw the movie  

 

It was 80+ years ago.   Being a Yank, it's just a river town to me also.  I actually try to forgot the stupidity of humans, and ignore the celebration of.  Be different if people learned from history.   Interesting to know, but really could care less.

[msbkk]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Why would a Thai care about K-buri, aside from a nice riverside town to relax at and take a selfie.   Unless they saw the movie  

 

It was 80+ years ago.   Being a Yank, it's just a river town to me also.  I actually try to forgot the stupidity of humans, and ignore the celebration of.  Be different if people learned from history.   Interesting to know, but really could care less.

Kanchanaburi is very popular amongst Thai tourists for a weekend, expecially the Erawan waterfalls. There are also 2 large lakes with resorts and floating bungalows. There is always a long traffic jam on Sundays in that direction.. It is not just the riverside town but the province overall. It seems you do not really know the province Kanchanaburi very well. 

[Mike Lister]

If you go to Kanchanaburi, Erawan National Park and the Erawan Falls is a must see and not far from the city, it's one of the most beautiful parks in Thailand. The river that runs through it falls in a series of seven tiered waterfalls over several miles, a challenging but rewarding walk.

 

https://www.thainationalparks.com/erawan-national-park

[KhunLA]

54 minutes ago, msbkk said:

 It is not just the riverside town but the province overall. It seems you do not really know the province Kanchanaburi very well. 

That's pretty funny ... 

... as can't remember last time I stay at the farang ghetto part of K-buri, same as the Thais and avoid.   We always stay way up or down river from that lot also.  Or on a hilltop.

 

My point was, they don't care about 'the bridge' unless a photo opt.  Or car about the crap, overpriced offerings nearby.  That's for the poor expats that can't afford a car or bussed in Chinese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That other bridge (Mon) further north is more interesting.

 

 

 

Edited January 19 by KhunLA

[Dolf]

On 1/19/2024 at 9:28 AM, Mike Lister said:

If you go to Kanchanaburi, Erawan National Park and the Erawan Falls is a must see and not far from the city, it's one of the most beautiful parks in Thailand. The river that runs through it falls in a series of seven tiered waterfalls over several miles, a challenging but rewarding walk.

 

https://www.thainationalparks.com/erawan-national-park

One of the nicest spots in Thailand. Swam in about level 5. Most Thai waterfalls are not worth the effort but this one is. The whole province is fairly good to drive around. Sai Yok is a nice town and better than Kanchanaburi imo.

 

I have seen on google maps a car ferry that crosses a lake but havent done it. I was looking at doing that plus drove out to the border.

 

I've done the war stuff and I enjoyed it but it's not for everyone. There are hotsprings as well.

 

Definately a top 10 province in the country. I would say catch a train to Kanchanaburi for 2 nights then hire a car for 5 days is the go.

 

 

[Dolf]

On 1/19/2024 at 10:09 AM, KhunLA said:

That's pretty funny ... 

... as can't remember last time I stay at the farang ghetto part of K-buri, same as the Thais and avoid.   We always stay way up or down river from that lot also.  Or on a hilltop.

 

My point was, they don't care about 'the bridge' unless a photo opt.  Or car about the crap, overpriced offerings nearby.  That's for the poor expats that can't afford a car or bussed in Chinese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That other bridge (Mon) further north is more interesting.

 

 

 

Nice photos. I was looking at driving there via the back roads down from the north. Google maps showed up the car ferry. Will study it further.

 

 

[Denim]

On 1/18/2024 at 5:10 PM, kingstonkid said:

I know that there are a lot of guided tours from BKK.

 

I am wondering if it is better to take them or to travel on my own. I want to see the military sites as well as have a nice weekend away.

 

Any assistance would be greatfully appreciated

 

 

 

If you have your own car it is the best way to go. If not hire one for a few days. You won't regret it.  Withot wheels some of the places will be time consuming to get to and away from. With your own transport you can easily see a whole lot more.

[Dolf]

On 1/19/2024 at 5:59 AM, still kicking said:

Wrong, my than Thai girlfriend knew a lot about that place, and I knew nothing. So don't put Thais down all the time. This is a pic from many years ago.

 

Just to the right is a good restaurant. Actually a few there but the one next to the bridge has an outdoor area with nice food. I had a snail curry and enjoyed the views.