Kanchanburi is two hours (by road) northwest of Bangkok and is most famous for it’s very dark history during WWII. We piled into a mini van and our trip took longer because our van doubled as a delivery truck, dropping packages off and picking them up along the route.

When Japan invaded Thailand during WWII, they forced POWs from the allied countries (British, American, Australian etc.) to work under incredibly harsh conditions to fast track the construction of a railway pushing them (Japan) closer to British India. Tens of thousands died under these dire conditions and this is called the Death Railway. The part where the railway goes over the river Kwai is a famous spot to visit.

We rode on a train that still travels over this railway. We arrived later at Ploy Guesthouse, where we stayed in their very nice river cottage (most of the rooms are in their normal concrete building).

Kanchanaburi is also famous for it’s beautiful national parks and Erawan waterfalls. There are about 7 different tiers you can hike up to and each one offers a chance to cool off in the pretty pools and falls.

Here’s a video showing the falls and the fish underwater

These tiny fish nibble at your feet as you put them in the water which is a little weird at first. Some of the fish are rather big and there are monkeys hanging around as well.