This district is located 60 km from the provincial town. Its landscape is generally rich of forests and mountains and full of natural attractions and historical places. There are some beautiful waterfalls and a 700 year old historical park located.

Many resort hotels, raft-houses and golf courses are available for nature-loving tourists.

How to go there

[ bus timetable ] [ train timetable ]

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Attractions:

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall	Muang Sing Historical Park	Kra Sae Cave
Sai Yok Yai Waterfall	Hellfire Pass	Lawa Cave
Tiger Temple	Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

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Sai Yok Noi Waterfall

This waterfall is located about 2 km from Nam Tok Train Station and about 60 km from Kanchanaburi on highway 323 to Sangkhlaburi. Its landscape is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand where once the Death Railway was passing Sai Yok Noi. The locals use that waterfall for having a picknick and a rest.

Best time to visit: during rainy season (July - October)

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall is part of Sai Yok National Park. The falls are about 100 km from Kanchanaburi on highway 323. It is famous for its idyllic beauty which was once visited by King Rama V. The falls are widely celebrated in Thai poetry and songs. The falls flows from cliffs into Kwai Noi River. The park entrance is about 38 km north of Sai Yok Noi Falls, but the falls are hidden 3 km off the main road. You can go there by motorbike or bus. Bus travellers should get off at the national park sign, then flag down a passing car or face a long and dusty walk. Motorcycle taxis may be available.

Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park

This marvelous Khmer temple complex and military outpost, 45 km from Kanchanaburi, was cunstructed during the Lopburi Period 1157 - 1207. Muang Sing (City of Lions) marks the westernmost Cambodian advance of Cambodian power and provides elegant testimony of their vast territoral claims. The 460 rai park was declared a national historic park in 1987. There are four monuments and an exhibition hall. The exhibition hall shows different Buddha images in different styles. All of them were found inside the ancient city. You can go there by motorbike or bus.

Opening hours: daily, 9:00 - 18:00 h.
Admission fee: 40 Baht per person + vehicle
bicycle: 10 Baht - motorbike: 20 Baht - car: 30 Baht
How to go there: own vehicle, train, bus, travel agency
train: get off at Thakilen Station

Hellfire Pass

The Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass) was once part of the Death Railway during World War II. It is a 73 m long and 25 m high rock cutting done by hand from Australian and British POWs. They started in April 1943 and finished the cutting 3 month later. Another cutting was 450 m long and 8 m depth. The POWs were forced to work up to 18 hours a day. At night the cuttings were lit by carbide lamps, bamboo bonfires and torches filled with diesoline. The eerie light and the shadows of the gaunt POWs playing on the cutting walls suggested the name the site would later be given - Hellfire Pass.

A few machines were available to help but the bulk of the work at Hellfire was carried out by 3.5 kg hammer and tap men, using steel drills and hammers. In July 1943 the cutting was completed. At least 63 men were beaten to death during the construction of the pass and many more died from starvation, dysentery and cholera. More than 70 % of the POWs died while the construction of the Death Railway.

Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum is located some 80 km north-west to Kanchanaburi on Highway 323. It is maintained by the Australian Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the museum is to honor the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while the construction of the Death Railway. It shows impressive how and why POWs worked at the nearby Hellfire Pass during WW II. A 4-5 hours walking trail leads you along the way of the Death Railway.

Kra Sae Cave

The small cave is located next to Tham Kra Sae train station. The Death Railway is passing this cave and one of the most beautiful parts of the section - in-between mountain and river. Inside is an image of Lord Buddha.

Lawa Cave

About 50 meters from the riverside of Kwai Noi River and 75 km away from provincial town is the Lawa Cave. It is the biggest cave of this area and the stalactites and stalagmites inside are very nice. Boat trips can be hired from Pak Saeng Pier or go there by road across the bridge at Ban Kaeng Ra Boed. Going there overland is a bit tricky. You have to cross the bridge a little bit southwards and find the dirt road to the cave.

Tiger Temple

Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua - well known as Tiger Temple is located about 40 km from town at highway 323. The Tiger Temple started as a rescue centre for wild tigers.

Warning: In the past, reports from Tiger Temple volunteer workers increased that the tigers where maltreated and abused by the abbort of the temple and his staff. A shortly released report from the British conservation group Care for the Wild International (CWI) reveals disturbing evidence of animal abuse and illegal tiger trafficking at the temple.

Read the full report of Care for the Wild International (CWI) here.

For that reasons we clearly DON'T RECOMMEND A VISIT at the Tiger Temple and ask visitors to Kanchanaburi province to boycott the temple.