Kanchanaburi, la terza provincia più grande della Thailandia, si estende su 19.483 km² e conta circa 797.800 abitanti. Situata 130 km a nord-ovest di Bangkok, confina con il Myanmar e diverse regioni thailandesi, una posizione strategica che ha influenzato il suo sviluppo culturale e commerciale. Il paesaggio è variegato, con pianure a sud-est e montagne a nord e ovest, dominate dalle Tenasserim Hills. I fiumi Khwae Yai e Kwai Noi, che confluiscono nel Mae Klong, sono vitali per l’ecosistema e l’economia locale, così come il lago Vajiralongkorn, importante riserva idrica. La provincia vanta sette parchi nazionali, tra cui Erawan, Sai Yok e Khao Laem, famosi per cascate, sorgenti termali e biodiversità, ospitando elefanti, tigri e gibboni. La sua storia è segnata dalla Ferrovia della Morte e dalle antiche tradizioni agricole, rendendola una meta affascinante tra natura, cultura e storia. Asian Itinerary ha passato 2 settimane nella provincia di Kanchanaburi, percorrendola in lungo ed in largo, per la produzione di una guida di viaggio unica commissionata dall’Ente del Turismo Thailandese in Italia. Qui potete scaricare la guida gratuitamente, con la certezza che vi appassionerà e magari vi spronerà a visitare questa favolosa provincia durante il vostro prossimo viaggio in Thailandia. Buona lettura! SCARICA LA GUIDA CLICCANDO IL SEGUENTE LINK: Kanchanaburi_Guida_web

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Kanchanburi Province is located approximately 120 kilometers West of Bangkok and shares a border along the complete length of its western edge with Myanmar (Burma). Kanchanburi town is a very quaint and friendly place with hospitable and amenable people who take pride in their picturesque location. The town has its fair share of inspiring Buddhist temples, lush landscapes, and breathtaking waterfalls alongside captivating mountain scenery. However, Kanchanburi is made more famous (or infamous) by the Kanchanburi Death Railway which is located close by. The Burma Railway – its official name – is a 415 km railway between Bangkok, Thailand and Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), built during World War II by the Imperial Japanese Army to support its Japanese forces in the Burma campaign. The railway, designed by S.O. No, was estimated to be built and finished in five years. This time frame was not acceptable to the Imperial army, so Prisoners Of War and Asian workers were press-ganged into the construction. It is believed that up to 250,000 in total worked on the construction of the railway line, with 100,000 losing their lives over it. In 1942, Japanese forces invaded Burma from Thailand and seized the colony from British control. To maintain their forces in Burma, the Japanese were required to bring supplies and troops to Burma by sea, through the Strait of Malacca and the Andaman Sea. This route was vulnerable to attack by Allied submarines, and a different means of transport was needed. The obvious alternative was a railway. The Japanese forces started the project in June 1942. They intended to connect Ban Pong in Thailand with Thanbyuzayat in Burma through the Three Pagodas Pass. Construction began at the Thai end on the 22nd of June 1942 and in Burma at roughly the same date. Most of the construction materials, including tracks and sleepers, were brought from dismantled branches of the Federated Malay States Railway network and from the Netherlands East Indies. On 17 October 1943, the two sections of the line met about 18 km (11 miles) south of the Three Pagodas Pass at Konkuita (Kaeng Khoi Tha, Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanburi Province). Most of the P.O.W.s were then transported to Japan. Those left to maintain the line still suffered from appalling living conditions as well as increasing Allied air raids. The most famous portion of the railway is Bridge 277, ‘the bridge over the River Kwai’, which was built over a stretch of river which was then known as part of the Mae Klong. The association with the ‘River Kwai’ came from the fact that the greater part of the Thai part of the route followed the valley of the Khwae Noi. In 1960, because of a discrepancy between fact and fiction, the part of the Mae Klong that passes under the famous bridge was renamed as the Khwae Yai. This bridge was immortalized by Pierre Boulle in his book and the film based on it, The Bridge on the River Kwai. However, there are many who claim that the movie is utterly unrealistic and does not show what the conditions and treatment of prisoners was actually like. The first wooden bridge over the Khwae Yai was finished in February 1943, followed by a concrete and steel bridge in June 1943. After the war, the railway was in inadequate state to be used for the civil Thai railway system, and needed heavy reconstruction. On 24 June 1949, the first part from Kanchanburi to Nong Pladuk was finished; on 1 April 1952, the next section up to Wang Pho (Wangpo); and finally on 1 July 1958, up to waterfalls. The portion of the railway still in use measures about 130 km (80 miles). Beyond the waterfalls, the line has been abandoned. Steel rails have been removed for reuse in expanding railway yards, reinforcing and rehabilitating railway tracks, and constructing new branch lines. Parts of it have been converted into a walking trail. Since the 1990s various proposals have been made to rebuild the complete railway, but these plans have not yet come to fruition. Since a large part of the original Death Railway line is now submerged under a hydroelectric dam, and the surrounding terrain is mountainous, it would take extensive tunneling to reconnect Thailand with Burma by rail. There are several museums dedicated to those who lost their lives constructing the Kanchanburi Death Railway, the largest of which is at Hellfire Pass (north of the current terminus at Nam Tok), a cutting where the greatest number of lives was lost. There is also an Australian memorial at Hellfire Pass. Two other museums are in Kanchanburi, the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum (opened in March 2003), and the JEATH War Museum. At the Khwae Bridge there is a memorial plaque and a historic locomotive is on display. Now you are all well-informed on Death Railway. Enjoy Kanchanburi!

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Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass is a luxury tented hotel set in the midst of nature near the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Situated in an incredible spot near the cliff of the Hellfire Pass in the mid-west of Thailand, this natural yet luxurious camping site is perfect for nature lovers and for those with an interest in the history of the stunning past of this area, that is so rich and tragic. All Hintok River Camp tented accommodations are all air-conditioned and featured with en suite bathroom with hot running water and toiletries. Bedding is according to standards of international branded hotels and the rooms are furnished in style with decorations made of local teakwood. At Hintok River Camp  you can be as passive or active as you may like. Some choose to sit back, relax and chill all day long among the fertile nature or in the natural spring-water pool, while some others choose to go a bit wild. Activities include kayaking in the river, elephant riding, bamboo rafting and caving at Saiyok National Park. The natural spring pool at Hintok River Camp is placed on the edge of River Kwai where you can sense the 100% nature breeze and a magnificent sunset. There you will rediscover the true definition of serenity and relaxation. The water is freshly running and naturally clean. After the sunset, another side of Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass begins as they offer an exotic buffet-styled BBQ dinner around the campfire and your canvas tent’s front yard. For a special occasion request, they can also organize Mon dance performance (Mon is the native minority community living in the border of Thai-Burma in Kanchanaburi) while enjoying your BBQ dinner under the moonlight. Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass is the closest accommodation to Hellfire Pass Historical Site. Geographically, Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass is situated on one of the best spectacular spots on River Kwai, in the Kanchanaburi province. This historic piece of land was a part of Japanese military-based camp during the World War II. Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass has been honoured with the following prices: One of the top ten adventure resorts 2009 in Asia Pacific Two Awards for Thailand Boutique Awards 2011 Top seven gorgeous places to go glamping in 2012 THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS stayed at Hintok River Camp in May 2014, sponsored by Asco Lotus – www.ascolotus.com Follow THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thailand-on-2-wheels/272739139560253?fref=ts Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass – 109 Moo 9 Ban Wang Khmer, Tambon Thasao, Ampur Saiyoke, Kanchanaburi 71150 Thailand http://www.hintokrivercamp.com

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Located 10 km from the city centre, the Vista Pool Villa is just a 5-minute drive to Thalo Beach. The hotel offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere as it is set in beautiful countryside. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. A 10-minute drive to Wat Sua Cave, Vista Pool Villa is a 15-minute drive to River Kwai Bridge. Erawan National Park is a 1-hour drive away. It takes 2 hours to drive there from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Air-conditioned comfortable rooms are well-appointed and feature a flat-screen cable TV, safe, fridge and minibar. Offering a balcony, each room comes with a seating area and sofa. Shower facilities are included in an en suite bathroom. Some rooms have a private pool. The views from there are amazing! Added convenience includes a 24-hour front desk. Free parking, meeting facilities and room service are provided. The Hill Restaurant serves a variety of Thai and International cuisine. The breakfast can be had either as room service or on the deck. The staff is outstanding, very friendly and eager to please, excellent throughout check-in, breakfast and check-out. The hotel is a great base to explore the beauties of Kanchanaburi, it is only 8km from the town, and there is a Minimart within walking distance. The Vista Pool Villa accepts credit cards. Facilities of The Vista Pool Villa Food & Drink: Restaurant, Breakfast in the room Internet: Free! WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge. Parking Free! Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed). Services: Room service, Shuttle service (surcharge), 24-hour front desk, Meeting/banquet facilities The Vista Pool Villa 8/8 Moo 3, T.Thalo, A. Thamuang, 71110 Kanchanaburi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevistapoolvilla THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS stayed at The Vista Pool Villa in May 2014, sponsored by Asian Itinerary – www.asianitinerary.com Follow THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thailand-on-2-wheels/272739139560253?fref=ts

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