Main Attraction.....The 2nd day of this short trip to Kanchanaburi has the objective of reaching the bridge over the Kwae Yai River affectionately known as 'The Bridge over the River Kwai'. Here the 257 service from Thonburi (Bangkok) to Namtok will depart just after 10.30 am. We're in plenty of time and prepared to leave Hop Inn an hour before. In addition to a visit to the bridge there are inevitably other attractions that I have allowed for but this should be an easy day and be back in Bangkok by early evening.
Kanchanaburi Attractions.....With time to spare we reach the iconic Kanchanaburi Skywalk, a new attraction since I was last here but the area around the river bank has been developed into a recreational area incorporating some historic attractions as well as affording pleasant views from the promenade beside the Kwae Yai River where it joins the Mae Klong. The other attractions here are the City Pillar Shrine, the City Gate and ramparts and some interesting Street Art. It's now off to the bridge.
The Kwae Yai River Bridge has a station to collect passengers to and from Namtok. Here there is a good selection of food vendors and souvenir shops as is expected but I'm here for the 257 which departs on time. With the main event of the day out of the way it's down to see what else we can find as we head west.
Kanchanaburi Ancient Ruins.....Kanchanaburi is an old city with a long-run history dated back to Ayutthaya era. Serving as a fortress city for both Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin kingdoms (circa 1548-1784), the ancient Kanchanaburi was centered near the Three Pagodas Pass at the Thai-Burma border with archeological evidences remain on site.
The existence of the old city with its multiple ruined temples has only recently come to my attention and I'm really happy to visit it. This adds more knowledge about the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Ancient City of Garuda.....The Ancient City of Garuda lies in Sai Yok District, and we follow the GPS off the main road and through cashew nut groves but the concrete road turns into a dirt track and there is no signage to the site. In addition, we lose signal from the satellite. It's time to ask local people. From the satellite image I see a pile of stones and find out whatever was here has since been removed to museums. The site is now in a field. Well, at least I tried.
Ban Kao National Museum.....Ban Kao National Museum looks a lot more promising. It must be to have this title and sure enough we locate an impressive multi-story building in the middle of nowhere. I pay to 50 baht entry fee and soon realise this is a real bargain. I appear to be the only visitor which is sad considering how it is in Kanchanaburi. What I've stumbled on is another gem and the reason for the museum being here is that Ban Kao is one of just six locations in Thailand and highly significant internationally as the location of a Neolithic settlement. The discovery stone age tools by a Dutch archaeologist caught up in the war and finding himself a POW is the reason such international attention has been given to this site. There really is an awful lot to see and learn here.
We next find ourselves in the grounds of Wat Tha Pho where more Neolithic burial pits have been opened. Ban Kao really is a special place.
By now its clear that we will be arriving back in Bangkok much later than I envisaged but it's been and incredible day so far as we head back to Kanchanaburi taking the back roads south of the river. Heading along a minor road, new opportunities present themselves.
Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan.....At Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan I am reluctant to spend much time as that is now precious but this temple is a Chinese Buddhist temple renown for its beautiful wood carvings; there being enough teak logs lying around to keep sculptors busy for the foreseeable future. Other than that there is a significant amount of construction work in progress. From pictorial impressions and from the the scale of fabrication I would like to see what it looks like a year from now. Nearby is another temple which needs no imagination at all.
Wat Tham Phu Wa.....Wat Tham Phu Wa is a cave temple but where is the cave? The grounds and infrastructure at this temple is impressive. On the left-hand side is a wonderful reclining Buddha then on the right is a Hindu style prasat the features of which is an expansion of what might be expected in Thailand's Isan Region dominated for so long by Khmer art. We now have to inquire where the cave actually is and low and behold it's through the massive prasat. Well, all I can say is what an incredible entrance porch. Once through it the cave becomes visible decked out with all types of Buddhist religious art.
My memories of Wat Tham Phu Wa are of my converstion with a monk who is eager to be my guide. The cavern itself is lavishly decorated and one must dwell awhile here to attempt to make sense of it all.
We head for attractions still on my list but the next stop is opportunistic as we turn off to investigate Wat Tham Muninat (Wat Ruesi).....Tham Muninat (Wat Ruesi) with its magnificent chedi hidden amidst impressive mountain views. The cave here is worth investigating, but we are running out of time and it's not obvious where it is. We need to close this tour out soon. Just five minutes away is out penultimate visit.
Giant Raintree (Monkey Pod Tree).....The Giant Raintree with its sprawling branches and thick foliage is not just a sight to behold but also an important part of Thai culture and history. It is late in the day and vendors are closing their shops. You could easily spend some time here under the shade of the foliage. The remains one more attraction which is beside the Mae Khlong River but there is not enough time left for a thorough investigation.
Wat Ban Tham.....At Wat Ban Tham there are stairs which will bring you to the cave entrance which is like you are walking through a mouth of a dragon. The time of day and the number of steps needed to reach the cave means I can't fully review it. Maybe next time? We must head back to Bangkok and cross over the Mae Khlong River beside the impressive Nae Khlong Dam and reach Ta Mueang on the north side. Here we take a well-earned dinner.
Its now dusk and there is a two-hour journey back to Bangkok. Fortunately, despite driving through a rainstorm, the journey is straightforward with hardly any hold-ups but arriving back at 9.00 pm I wasn't expecting. In the grand scheme of things I have allowed for days like this but it's still a surprise to find so much more to see just reinforcing that Kanchanaburi has so much to offer.

Source: Site Visit