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 According
to most historians, the ancient town of Kanchanaburi
was located near Ban Lat Ya, a small village situated approximately
16 kilometers north of the present town. The site was repeatedly
recorded in Thai history as an invasion route which the Burmese
used to enter Thai Kingdoms.
Kanchanaburi, which has mostly mountainous
terrain, covers an area of approximately 19,473 square kilometers
and is the third largest province in Thailand after Chiang Mai and
Nakhon Ratchasima. Situated approximately 129 kilometres west of
Bangkok, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar to the west,
Tak and Uthai
Thani Provinces to the north, Suphan
Buri and Nakhon
Pathom Provinces to the east, and Ratchaburi
Province to the south.
 In
north and west Kanchanaburi, the terrain
is comprised mainly of mountains and high plains, with the Thanon
Thongchai Range acting as a natural border between Thailand and
Myanmar. The range is the source of Kanchanaburi’s two most
important rivers Mae Nam Khwae Noi and Mae Nam Khwae Yai, which
form the famous Maenam Mae Klong. As a result, several of Thailand's
largest Namtok (waterfalls) and most extensive wildlife sanctuaries
are found in this area.
The magnificent landscape and charming beauty of Kanchanaburi
have resulted in major tourist attractions including several well-known
waterfalls, caves which were once inhabited by Neolithic man, pristine
national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and reservoir.
Together, they offer an intriguing experience for first-time or
repeat visitors. Whether it’s fishing, rafting, canoeing,
mountain biking, bird-watching, star-gazing, golfing, elephant and
jungle trekking, or even living in bamboo rafts, Kanchanaburi takes
pride in offering them all.
The city of Kanchanaburi is located at
the point where two tributaries, the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai meet
and form the Maenam Mae Klong. This is the location of the notorious
Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Khwae – one of the
world’s famous World War II sites which have been immortalized
in print and film.
In economic terms, Kanchanaburi has been
doing well on a national scale, with over 10 per cent growth annually.
Important industries include sugar, agricultural products and jewelry.
Tourism is also a main source of income for the locals as the province’s
high tourism potential has made Kanchanaburi number one among the
west provinces in having the highest number of visitors each year.
Residents of Kanchanaburi are engaged in
agricultural activities. Most of the locals are of Thai ancestry
with notable Mon and Karen minorities. Rural dwellers enjoy living
simply and respecting nature. Moreover folk music and dances dating
back at least 500 years are still performed today.
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