Kanchanaburi Province
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Capital: | Kanchanaburi |
| Area: | 19,483.2 km² Ranked 3rd |
| Inhabitants: | 734,394 (2000) Ranked 31st |
| Pop. density: | 38 inh./km² Ranked 74th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-71 |
| Governor: | Amnat Phakarat (since November 2006) |
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Kanchanaburi (Thai: กาญจนบุรี) is the largest of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Tak, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi. In the west it borders Kayin State, Mon State and Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.
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[edit] Geography
The province is located in the west of Thailand. The district covers the source valleys of the rivers Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi ("River Kwai"), which merge at the city Kanchanaburi and form the Mae Klong River there.
Several National Parks are located in the forests of the mountain area of the province - the Erawan, Sai Yok, Khao Laem, Khaoen Sri Nakarin and Chaloem Rattanakosin National Parks are located in the province. The Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in this province is also listed in the UNESCO world heritage list.
[edit] Sights
The province is most famous for the Bridge on the River Kwai, which was built next to the town of Kanchanaburi crossing the Mae Klong river. The Death Railway ran all the way from the Kwae river valley up to the Three Pagodas Pass. Today only the lowest part of the railway to Nam Tok is still in use. In Kanchanaburi city, there is a war museum and a large cemetery of prisoners of war who died during construction of the Death Railway.
Nine Army War History national park (Uttayan Haeng Chart Songkram Kao Tab) located at Ladya field, Tambon Chongsadao. It’s around 40 kilometers from Kanchanaburi downtown. This place was collected the history evidence of nine army war. The nine army war was the war between King Rama I of Thailand and King Padung of Burma. The war was ended with Thailand victory.
In the Sai Yok district, there is a Buddhist Tiger Temple where tame tigers roam freely once a day. Also in Sai Yok is the Mueang Sing historical park, ruins of a Khmer town and temple, as well as the Sai Yok National Park with the two Sai Yok waterfalls.
[edit] Symbols
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The seal of the province shows the three pagodas, located on the Bantadthong Mountain. They gave the name to the mountain pass to Myanmar, called "Three Pagodas Pass". The provincial flower is the Night-flowering Jasmine (Nyctanthes arbortristis), and the provincial tree is the Moulmein lancewood (Homalium tomentosum). |
[edit] Administrative divisions
Kanchanaburi is subdivided into 13 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 98 communes (tambon) and 887 villages (muban).
[edit] External links
- Kanchanaburi (province) travel guide from Wikitravel
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Website of province (Thai only)
- Kanchanaburi provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University Main University in Kanchanaburi
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