Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wat Tham Mangkon Thong. Once over the bridge, turn left and follow the river for 14km,
at which point you should see the hilltop pagodas on your right. Buses (10B) leave from
Kanchanaburi bus station to Ratchaburi every 20 minutes. Get off at Tha Meuang Hospital
and hire a motorbike taxi (40B).
WWII Museum
MUSEUM
(Th Mae Nam Khwae; admission 40B; 8am-6.30pm)
Perhaps the best thing to say about this mu-
seum is that the view of the Death Railway Bridge is great. Otherwise, this is an eclectic,
ramshackle collection of artefacts. The museum is divided into two buildings. On one side
is a collection of Japanese vehicles, along with press cuttings and waxwork POWs.
The larger building resembles a Chinese temple and is far more opulent, or garish, de-
pending on your viewpoint, though the collection of weapons and amulets is impressive.
The top level is the best place to see the nearby Death Railway Bridge.
Between the two buildings is a pyramid-shaped family shrine with coloured bowls dec-
orating the exterior. The museum is immediately south of the Death Railway Bridge.
Wat Bahn Tham
( )
The web of hillside caves for which this temple is famous holds many ancient
secrets, according to folklore. Walk up the steps, past the 'dragon's mouth' entrance and
check out the five caves near the top. One has a standing Buddha image illuminated by a
single shaft of sunlight breaking through the top of the hill.
A stone is said to resemble an innocent woman killed by her husband and is conse-
quently 'dressed' throughout the year while one blocked-off passageway allegedly leads
to a village inhabited by giants.
To find the temple, which is 15km south of the town, cross the Kheuan Meuang (City
Dam) and go right on the other side of the river. Follow the road parallel to the river and
look for the temple on your left.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
