Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is the largest of the western provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from the north) Tak, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Ratchaburi. In the west it borders Kayin State, Mon State, and the Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar.

Tourists are attracted by the history of its ancient civilization and the World War II Bridge over the River Kwai, originally spelt “Khwae” but officially changed to Kwai to accommodate the expectations of tourists.In the late-18th century, Kanchanaburi was established by King Rama I as a defensive outpost against possible Burmese attacks in what is now Lat Ya Sub-district. In 1833, the town was moved about 16 km to the southeast along the river to its present site during the reign of King Rama III.From the Ayutthaya period to the Thonburi and Rattanakosin period, Kanchanaburi was an important outpost to defend against Burmese invasions. The old town was located at Tambon Lat Ya (Khao Chon Kai in the present). In 1831, King Rama III, moved the city to the southeast about 16 kilometers to set at the confluence of the Khwae Yai River and the Khwae Noi River river, which is the location of the town today.