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Coordinates: 14°1′10″N 99°31′52″E / 14.01944°N 99.53111°E / 14.01944; 99.53111
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{{About|the town Kanchanaburi}}
{{About|the town Kanchanaburi}}
<noinclude>{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=Kanchanaburi (town)|2=Talk:Amnat Charoen#Requested move 26 January 2021 }}
</noinclude>{{Refimprove|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
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<!-- Basic info ---------------->| official_name = Kanchanaburi
<!-- Basic info ---------------->| official_name = Kanchanaburi
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<!-- Location ------------------>| subdivision_type = Country
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Thailand
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| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Thailand|Province]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Thailand|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kanchanaburi Province]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Amphoe|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kanchanaburi Province]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Thailand|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mueang Kanchanaburi District]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mueang Kanchanaburi District]]
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| population_total = 25,651 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/views/showZoneData.php?rcode=7199&statType=1&year=60|title=ข้อมูลสถิติ}}</ref>
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| coordinates = {{coord|14|1|10|N|99|31|52|E|region:TH|display=inline}}
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'''Kanchanaburi''' ({{lang-th|กาญจนบุรี}}, {{IPA-th|kāːn.t͡ɕā.ná(ʔ).bū.rīː|pron}}) is a town municipality (''[[thesaban mueang]]'') in the west of [[Thailand]] and part of [[Kanchanaburi Province]]. In 2006 it had a population of 31,327. The town covers ''[[tambon]]s'' Ban Nuea and Ban Tai and parts of Pak Phraek and Tha Makham, all of [[Mueang Kanchanaburi District]], and parts of ''tambon'' Tha Lo of [[Tha Muang District]]. Kanchanaburi lies 123&nbsp;km west of Bangkok.<ref>{{cite web|title=Distance: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi|url=https://www.google.co.th/search?q=distance+bangkok+to+kalasin&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=_xuMVZ3jOY-9ugTZ-KyoAQ#q=distance+bangkok+to+Kanchanaburi|website=Google Maps|access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref>
'''Kanchanaburi''' ({{langx|th|กาญจนบุรี}}, {{IPA|th|kāːn.t͡ɕā.ná(ʔ).bū.rīː|pron}}) is a town municipality (''[[thesaban mueang]]'') in [[Kanchanaburi Province]], [[Thailand]]. The town of lies to the southeast of [[Erawan National Park]] within Kanchanaburi Province, approximately 120km west of Bangkok.<ref>{{cite web |title=Distance: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi |url=https://www.google.co.th/search?q=distance+bangkok+to+kalasin&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=_xuMVZ3jOY-9ugTZ-KyoAQ#q=distance+bangkok+to+Kanchanaburi |access-date=25 June 2015 |website=Google Maps}}</ref> In 2006 it had a population of 31,327. That number was reduced to 25,651 in 2017. The town covers ''[[tambon]]s'' Ban Nuea and Ban Tai and parts of [[Pak Phraek, Mueang Kanchanaburi|Pak Phraek]] and Tha Makham, all of [[Mueang Kanchanaburi District]], and parts of ''tambon'' Tha Lo of [[Tha Muang District]].


==History==
==History==
In the late-18th century, Kanchanaburi was established by King [[Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke|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&nbsp;km to the southeast along the river to its present site during the reign of King [[Nangklao|Rama III]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/Kanchanaburi |title=Thailand Travel Guide for Kanchanaburi |website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) |access-date=2014-08-09}}</ref>
In the late 18th century, Kanchanaburi was established by King [[Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke|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 [[Nangklao|Rama III]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/Kanchanaburi |title=Thailand Travel Guide for Kanchanaburi |website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) |access-date=2014-08-09}}</ref>


From the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthaya period]] to the [[Thonburi Kingdom|Thonburi]] and [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Rattanakosin]] period, Kanchanaburi was an important outpost to defend against [[Burmese–Siamese wars|Burmese invasions]]. The old town was located at [[Lat Yao District|Tambon Lat Ya]] (Khao Chon Kai in the present). In 1831, [[Rama III|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. <ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=|url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/Kanchanaburi/222|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
From the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthaya period]] to the [[Thonburi Kingdom|Thonburi]] and [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Rattanakosin]] periods, Kanchanaburi was an important outpost to defend against [[Burmese–Siamese wars|Burmese invasions]]. The old town was located at [[Lat Yao District|Tambon Lat Ya]] (Khao Chon Kai in the present). In 1831, [[Rama III|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]], which is the location of the town today.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The official website of Tourism Authority of Thailand|url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/Kanchanaburi/222|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>


On March 25, 1935, a royal decree was issued for Ban Nuea Subdistrict and Ban Tai Subdistrict, which has an area of ​​approximately 2.08 square kilometers.
On March 25, 1935, a royal decree was issued for Ban Nuea Subdistrict and Ban Tai Subdistrict, which has an area of approximately 2.08 square kilometers.


=== Climate ===
==Geography==
[[File:Kanchanaburi, Kwai River, Thailand.jpg|thumb|Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers]]
Kanchanaburi, where the [[Khwae Noi River|Khwae Noi]] and [[Khwae Yai River|Khwae Yai]] Rivers converge into the [[Mae Klong]] River, spans the northern banks of the river and is a popular spot for travelers. Its location at the edge of a mountain range keeps it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand.

==Economy==
The city has two major commercial districts: the downtown area consists of a grid of several streets with office buildings, shop fronts, and a shopping mall; and the riverfront area businesses are mostly further west along River Kwai Road. Once a year a carnival comes to town and is set up in the area next to the bridge. At night there is a small pyrotechnics display that re-enacts the wartime bombing of the bridge.

The riverfront has skywalk, and next to it is Walking Street. The skywalk is a "12-metre high and 150 metre-long" glass [[walkway]], owned by the local government; to access the skywalk, one must pay [on site] 60 baht to own a pair of plastic shoes.<ref>https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2389840/shoe-shortage-closes-new-river-kwai-skywalk. [[Bangkok Post]]. Retrieved 2022-09-14</ref><ref>[https://www.bangkokpost.com/photo/2389255/skywalk-over-the-river-kwai 'Skywalk over the River Kwai']. 2022-09-11. [[Bangkok Post]]</ref><ref>https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2389238/skywalk-over-the-river-kwai-opens-in-kanchanaburi. [[Bangkok Post]]</ref>

==Buddhism==
Kanchanaburi is the birthplace of the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk [[Phrabhavanaviriyakhun]]. It is {{convert|5|km|mi}} southeast of the Buddhist temple ''Wat Tham Phu Wa'' which features a series of grotto shrines within a large limestone cave system. Each grotto features a statue of the Buddha at a different stage of his life. It is the easiest access point to the nearby [[Tiger Temple]] (closed) and is also home to a [[Vipassana]] meditation center.

==Death railway==
[[File:Bridge over River Kwai.jpg|thumb|The Bridge over the River Kwai]]

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese]] control. It was here that Asian forced labourers and Allied [[Prisoner of war|POWs]], building the infamous [[Burma Railway]], constructed a bridge, an event fictionalised in the films ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957),<ref name="lies">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/lies-built-bridge-river-kwai/ |title=The lies that built The Bridge on the River Kwai|website=The Telegraph|author=Tom Fordy|date=20 August 2020|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref> ''[[Return from the River Kwai]]'' (1989) and ''[[The Railway Man (film)|The Railway Man]]'' (2013). Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from disease, maltreatment or accidents. There were four POW camps in or near the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fepow.family/Articles/Death_Railway/html/section_1.htm |title=Section 1 |website=Far East POW Family|access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref> including [[Tamarkan]] which was used as a work camp to construct the bridge.<ref name="aus">{{cite web|url=https://2nd4thmgb.com.au/camp/tamarkan-tha-makham-56k-thailand/ |title=Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56.20km - Thailand |website=2/4th Machine Gun Battalion Ex Members Association|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref> After the completion of the railway line, most prisoners were concentrated in the Kanchanaburi area, and often sent on to Japan or [[French Indo-China]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uspowtbr.com/17d-kanchanaburi/ |title=17d. Kanchanaburi |website=US POWs Thai-Burma Railway|access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref>

At Kanchanaburi, there is a [[Kanchanaburi Memorial|memorial]] and two museums to commemorate the dead. In March 2003, the [[Thailand–Burma Railway Centre]] opened and the [[JEATH War Museum|JEATH (Japanese-English-American-Australian-Thai-Holland) War Museum]] dedicated to the bridge and the [[Death Railway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Jeath War Museum|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Jeath-War-Museum--230|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626132220/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Jeath-War-Museum--230|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2015|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> The city is also home to the [[Kanchanaburi War Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak)|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Kanchanaburi-War-Cemetery-Don-Rak--227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615125203/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Kanchanaburi-War-Cemetery-Don-Rak--227|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2012|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref>

The [[Chungkai War Cemetery]] is located about {{convert|5|km}} from Kanchanaburi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/2035000/chungkai-war-cemetery/ |title=Chungkai War Cemetery|website=Commonwealth War Graves Commission|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref>

== Climate ==
Kanchanaburi has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Aw''). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at {{convert|38.2|°C|°F}}. The [[monsoon]] season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.
Kanchanaburi has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Aw''). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at {{convert|38.2|°C|°F}}. The [[monsoon]] season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.


{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Kanchanaburi (1981–2010)
|location = Kanchanaburi (1991–2020, extremes 1952-present)
|metric first = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 38.4
|Jan record high C = 38.4
|Feb record high C = 40.8
|Feb record high C = 40.8
|Mar record high C = 42.1
|Mar record high C = 42.3
|Apr record high C = 43.5
|Apr record high C = 44.0
|May record high C = 42.8
|May record high C = 42.8
|Jun record high C = 40.6
|Jun record high C = 40.6
Line 147: Line 166:
|Nov record high C = 38.0
|Nov record high C = 38.0
|Dec record high C = 36.4
|Dec record high C = 36.4
|year record high C = 43.5
|year record high C = 44.0
|Jan high C = 33.0
|Jan record low C = 5.5
|Feb high C = 35.6
|Feb record low C = 12.1
|Mar high C = 37.3
|Apr high C = 38.2
|May high C = 35.9
|Jun high C = 34.5
|Jul high C = 33.9
|Aug high C = 33.6
|Sep high C = 33.6
|Oct high C = 32.2
|Nov high C = 31.6
|Dec high C = 31.3
|year high C = 34.2
|Jan mean C = 26.0
|Feb mean C = 28.0
|Mar mean C = 29.7
|Apr mean C = 31.0
|May mean C = 29.7
|Jun mean C = 29.0
|Jul mean C = 28.6
|Aug mean C = 28.4
|Sep mean C = 28.0
|Oct mean C = 27.3
|Nov mean C = 26.4
|Dec mean C = 24.9
|year mean C = 28.1
|Jan low C = 19.9
|Feb low C = 22.1
|Mar low C = 24.2
|Apr low C = 25.9
|May low C = 25.8
|Jun low C = 25.5
|Jul low C = 25.1
|Aug low C = 25.1
|Sep low C = 24.6
|Oct low C = 23.9
|Nov low C = 22.2
|Dec low C = 19.6
|year low C = 23.7
|Jan record low C = 10.5
|Feb record low C = 14.1
|Mar record low C = 13.9
|Mar record low C = 13.9
|Apr record low C = 21.4
|Apr record low C = 17.9
|May record low C = 21.5
|May record low C = 20.5
|Jun record low C = 22.9
|Jun record low C = 22.9
|Jul record low C = 21.1
|Jul record low C = 21.1
Line 197: Line 177:
|Sep record low C = 20.2
|Sep record low C = 20.2
|Oct record low C = 17.0
|Oct record low C = 17.0
|Nov record low C = 12.4
|Nov record low C = 11.6
|Dec record low C = 9.2
|Dec record low C = 6.8
|year record low C = 9.2
|year record low C = 5.5
|rain colour = green
|Jan high C = 33.0
|Jan rain mm = 3.3
|Feb high C = 35.3
|Feb rain mm = 18.2
|Mar high C = 37.0
|Mar rain mm = 29.0
|Apr high C = 38.0
|Apr rain mm = 78.5
|May high C = 36.3
|May rain mm = 145.3
|Jun high C = 34.8
|Jun rain mm = 86.4
|Jul high C = 33.9
|Jul rain mm = 102.9
|Aug high C = 33.8
|Aug rain mm = 98.3
|Sep high C = 33.7
|Sep rain mm = 220.5
|Oct high C = 32.4
|Oct rain mm = 209.2
|Nov high C = 32.1
|Nov rain mm = 58.6
|Dec high C = 31.7
|Dec rain mm = 6.2
| year high C =
|year rain mm = 1056.4
|Jan mean C = 26.3
|Jan rain days = 0.8
|Feb mean C = 28.2
|Feb rain days = 1.6
|Mar mean C = 29.9
|Mar rain days = 3.2
|Apr mean C = 31.1
|Apr rain days = 5.7
|May mean C = 30.2
|May rain days = 13.7
|Jun mean C = 29.4
|Jun rain days = 14.4
|Jul mean C = 28.8
|Jul rain days = 15.7
|Aug mean C = 28.6
|Aug rain days = 16.1
|Sep mean C = 28.3
|Sep rain days = 18.1
|Oct mean C = 27.7
|Oct rain days = 15.1
|Nov mean C = 26.9
|Nov rain days = 5.0
|Dec mean C = 25.7
|Dec rain days = 1.2
| year mean C =
|year rain days = 110.6
|Jan low C = 20.4
|Jan humidity = 64
|Feb low C = 22.1
|Feb humidity = 62
|Mar low C = 24.3
|Mar humidity = 61
|Apr low C = 25.6
|Apr humidity = 63
|May low C = 25.7
|May humidity = 71
|Jun low C = 25.3
|Jun humidity = 72
|Jul low C = 24.9
|Jul humidity = 73
|Aug low C = 24.8
|Aug humidity = 74
|Sep low C = 24.5
|Sep humidity = 77
|Oct low C = 23.7
|Oct humidity = 80
|Nov low C = 22.3
|Nov humidity = 73
|Dec low C = 20.3
| year low C =
|Dec humidity = 66
|precipitation colour = green
|year humidity = 70
|Jan precipitation mm = 7.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 18.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 39.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 66.4
|May precipitation mm = 139.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 98.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 106.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 100.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 219.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 206.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 44.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 7.2
| year precipitation mm = 1053.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 0.8
|Feb precipitation days = 1.1
|Mar precipitation days = 2.6
|Apr precipitation days = 4.2
|May precipitation days = 10.1
|Jun precipitation days = 10.0
|Jul precipitation days = 10.6
|Aug precipitation days = 11.0
|Sep precipitation days = 13.8
|Oct precipitation days = 12.0
|Nov precipitation days = 3.5
|Dec precipitation days = 0.8
|year precipitation days = 80.5
|Jan humidity = 64.5
|Feb humidity = 62.5
|Mar humidity = 62.6
|Apr humidity = 63.4
|May humidity = 69.9
|Jun humidity = 72.1
|Jul humidity = 73.1
|Aug humidity = 73.9
|Sep humidity = 76.5
|Oct humidity = 79.4
|Nov humidity = 72.3
|Dec humidity = 65.9
| year humidity = 69.7
| Jan dew point C = 18.4
| Feb dew point C = 19.5
| Mar dew point C = 21.1
| Apr dew point C = 22.5
| May dew point C = 23.5
| Jun dew point C = 23.4
| Jul dew point C = 23.1
| Aug dew point C = 23.2
| Sep dew point C = 23.5
| Oct dew point C = 23.4
| Nov dew point C = 21.1
| Dec dew point C = 18.3
| year dew point C = 21.8
|Jan sun = 263.5
|Jan sun = 263.5
|Feb sun = 245.8
|Feb sun = 245.8
Line 266: Line 299:
|Decd sun = 8.4
|Decd sun = 8.4
|yeard sun = 6.0
|yeard sun = 6.0
|source 1 = Thai Meteorological Department<ref name=TMD1>{{cite web
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Thailand/CSV/KanchanaBuri_48450.csv
| url = http://climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/75
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| title = Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 12 October 2023}}</ref>
| page = 16
|source 2 = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=RID>{{cite web
| access-date = 4 August 2016}}</ref>
|source 2 = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun and humidity)<ref name=RID>{{cite web
| url = http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
| url = http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
| title = ปริมาณการใช้น้ำของพืชอ้างอิงโดยวิธีของ Penman Monteith (Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Penman Monteith)
| title = ปริมาณการใช้น้ำของพืชอ้างอิงโดยวิธีของ Penman Monteith (Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Penman Monteith)
Line 278: Line 310:
| page = 77
| page = 77
| language = th
| language = th
| access-date = 4 August 2016}}</ref>
| access-date = 4 August 2016}}</ref>(extremes)<ref name=TMD1>{{cite web
| url = http://climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/75

| title = Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department
| accessdate = 4 August 2016}}</ref>
}}
}}

==Location==
Kanchanaburi, where the [[Khwae Noi River|Khwae Noi]] and [[Khwae Yai River|Khwae Yai]] Rivers converge into the [[Mae Klong]] River, spans the northern banks of the river and is a popular spot for travelers. Its location at the edge of a mountain range keeps it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand. The city has two major commercial districts: the downtown area consists of a grid of several streets with office buildings, shop fronts, and a shopping mall; and the riverfront area businesses are mostly further west along River Kwai Road. Once a year a carnival comes to town and is set up in the area next to the bridge. At night there is a small pyrotechnics display that re-enacts the wartime bombing of the bridge.

==Buddhism==
Kanchanaburi is the birthplace of the [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk [[Phrabhavanaviriyakhun]]. It is {{convert|5|km|mi}} southeast of the Buddhist temple ''Wat Tham Phu Wa'' which features a series of grotto shrines within a large limestone cave system. Each grotto features a statue of the Buddha at a different stage of his life. It is the easiest access point to the nearby [[Tiger Temple]] (closed) and is also home to a [[Vipassana]] meditation center.

==Death railway==
[[File:Bridge over River Kwai.jpg|250px|thumbnail|The Bridge over the River Kwai]]

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese]] control. It was here that Asian forced labourers and Allied [[Prisoner of war|POWs]], building the infamous [[Burma Railway]], constructed a bridge, an event portrayed in the films ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]'' (1957), ''[[Return from the River Kwai]]'' (1989) and ''[[The Railway Man (film)|The Railway Man]]'' (2013). Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from disease, maltreatment or accidents.

At Kanchanaburi, there are a [[Kanchanaburi Memorial|memorial]] and two museums to commemorate the dead. In March 2003, the [[Thailand–Burma Railway Centre]] opened and the [[JEATH War Museum|JEATH (Japanese-English-American-Australian-Thai-Holland) War Museum]] dedicated to the bridge and the [[Death Railway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Jeath War Museum|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Jeath-War-Museum--230|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626132220/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Jeath-War-Museum--230|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2015|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> The city is also home to the [[Kanchanaburi War Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak)|url=http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Kanchanaburi-War-Cemetery-Don-Rak--227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615125203/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Kanchanaburi-War-Cemetery-Don-Rak--227|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2012|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref>

The Chong Kai Allies Cemetery is near Kanchanaburi, about {{convert|3|km|mi}} from Wat Tham Phu Wa.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 319: Line 339:


[[Category:Kanchanaburi| ]]
[[Category:Kanchanaburi| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Kanchanaburi Province]]
[[Category:Populated places in Kanchanaburi province]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Thailand]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Thailand]]

Latest revision as of 01:47, 10 December 2024

Kanchanaburi
กาญจนบุรี
Town
Kanchanaburi city gate
Kanchanaburi city gate
Kanchanaburi is located in Thailand
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi
Location in Thailand
Coordinates: 14°1′10″N 99°31′52″E / 14.01944°N 99.53111°E / 14.01944; 99.53111
CountryThailand
ProvinceKanchanaburi Province
DistrictMueang Kanchanaburi District
Elevation
100 ft (30 m)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total
25,651 [1]
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)

Kanchanaburi (Thai: กาญจนบุรี, pronounced [kāːn.t͡ɕā.ná(ʔ).bū.rīː]) is a town municipality (thesaban mueang) in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The town of lies to the southeast of Erawan National Park within Kanchanaburi Province, approximately 120km west of Bangkok.[2] In 2006 it had a population of 31,327. That number was reduced to 25,651 in 2017. The town covers tambons Ban Nuea and Ban Tai and parts of Pak Phraek and Tha Makham, all of Mueang Kanchanaburi District, and parts of tambon Tha Lo of Tha Muang District.

History

[edit]

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.[3]

From the Ayutthaya period to the Thonburi and Rattanakosin periods, 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, which is the location of the town today.[4]

On March 25, 1935, a royal decree was issued for Ban Nuea Subdistrict and Ban Tai Subdistrict, which has an area of approximately 2.08 square kilometers.

Geography

[edit]
Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers

Kanchanaburi, where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers converge into the Mae Klong River, spans the northern banks of the river and is a popular spot for travelers. Its location at the edge of a mountain range keeps it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand.

Economy

[edit]

The city has two major commercial districts: the downtown area consists of a grid of several streets with office buildings, shop fronts, and a shopping mall; and the riverfront area businesses are mostly further west along River Kwai Road. Once a year a carnival comes to town and is set up in the area next to the bridge. At night there is a small pyrotechnics display that re-enacts the wartime bombing of the bridge.

The riverfront has skywalk, and next to it is Walking Street. The skywalk is a "12-metre high and 150 metre-long" glass walkway, owned by the local government; to access the skywalk, one must pay [on site] 60 baht to own a pair of plastic shoes.[5][6][7]

Buddhism

[edit]

Kanchanaburi is the birthplace of the Buddhist monk Phrabhavanaviriyakhun. It is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southeast of the Buddhist temple Wat Tham Phu Wa which features a series of grotto shrines within a large limestone cave system. Each grotto features a statue of the Buddha at a different stage of his life. It is the easiest access point to the nearby Tiger Temple (closed) and is also home to a Vipassana meditation center.

Death railway

[edit]
The Bridge over the River Kwai

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. It was here that Asian forced labourers and Allied POWs, building the infamous Burma Railway, constructed a bridge, an event fictionalised in the films The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957),[8] Return from the River Kwai (1989) and The Railway Man (2013). Almost half of the prisoners working on the project died from disease, maltreatment or accidents. There were four POW camps in or near the city,[9] including Tamarkan which was used as a work camp to construct the bridge.[10] After the completion of the railway line, most prisoners were concentrated in the Kanchanaburi area, and often sent on to Japan or French Indo-China.[11]

At Kanchanaburi, there is a memorial and two museums to commemorate the dead. In March 2003, the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre opened and the JEATH (Japanese-English-American-Australian-Thai-Holland) War Museum dedicated to the bridge and the Death Railway.[12] The city is also home to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.[13]

The Chungkai War Cemetery is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Kanchanaburi.[14]

Climate

[edit]

Kanchanaburi has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 38.2 °C (100.8 °F). The monsoon season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

Climate data for Kanchanaburi (1991–2020, extremes 1952-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 38.4
(101.1)
40.8
(105.4)
42.3
(108.1)
44.0
(111.2)
42.8
(109.0)
40.6
(105.1)
39.7
(103.5)
39.4
(102.9)
39.8
(103.6)
36.0
(96.8)
38.0
(100.4)
36.4
(97.5)
44.0
(111.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 33.0
(91.4)
35.3
(95.5)
37.0
(98.6)
38.0
(100.4)
36.3
(97.3)
34.8
(94.6)
33.9
(93.0)
33.8
(92.8)
33.7
(92.7)
32.4
(90.3)
32.1
(89.8)
31.7
(89.1)
34.3
(93.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.3
(79.3)
28.2
(82.8)
29.9
(85.8)
31.1
(88.0)
30.2
(86.4)
29.4
(84.9)
28.8
(83.8)
28.6
(83.5)
28.3
(82.9)
27.7
(81.9)
26.9
(80.4)
25.7
(78.3)
28.4
(83.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20.4
(68.7)
22.1
(71.8)
24.3
(75.7)
25.6
(78.1)
25.7
(78.3)
25.3
(77.5)
24.9
(76.8)
24.8
(76.6)
24.5
(76.1)
23.7
(74.7)
22.3
(72.1)
20.3
(68.5)
23.7
(74.6)
Record low °C (°F) 5.5
(41.9)
12.1
(53.8)
13.9
(57.0)
17.9
(64.2)
20.5
(68.9)
22.9
(73.2)
21.1
(70.0)
22.2
(72.0)
20.2
(68.4)
17.0
(62.6)
11.6
(52.9)
6.8
(44.2)
5.5
(41.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7.6
(0.30)
18.3
(0.72)
39.4
(1.55)
66.4
(2.61)
139.4
(5.49)
98.9
(3.89)
106.0
(4.17)
100.6
(3.96)
219.0
(8.62)
206.3
(8.12)
44.6
(1.76)
7.2
(0.28)
1,053.7
(41.48)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 0.8 1.1 2.6 4.2 10.1 10.0 10.6 11.0 13.8 12.0 3.5 0.8 80.5
Average relative humidity (%) 64.5 62.5 62.6 63.4 69.9 72.1 73.1 73.9 76.5 79.4 72.3 65.9 69.7
Average dew point °C (°F) 18.4
(65.1)
19.5
(67.1)
21.1
(70.0)
22.5
(72.5)
23.5
(74.3)
23.4
(74.1)
23.1
(73.6)
23.2
(73.8)
23.5
(74.3)
23.4
(74.1)
21.1
(70.0)
18.3
(64.9)
21.8
(71.2)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 263.5 245.8 238.7 240.0 155.0 114.0 117.8 117.8 108.0 145.7 186.0 260.4 2,192.7
Mean daily sunshine hours 8.5 8.7 7.7 8.0 5.0 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.6 4.7 6.2 8.4 6.0
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[15]
Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)[16](extremes)[17]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ข้อมูลสถิติ".
  2. ^ "Distance: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi". Google Maps. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Thailand Travel Guide for Kanchanaburi". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  4. ^ "The official website of Tourism Authority of Thailand".
  5. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2389840/shoe-shortage-closes-new-river-kwai-skywalk. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2022-09-14
  6. ^ 'Skywalk over the River Kwai'. 2022-09-11. Bangkok Post
  7. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2389238/skywalk-over-the-river-kwai-opens-in-kanchanaburi. Bangkok Post
  8. ^ Tom Fordy (20 August 2020). "The lies that built The Bridge on the River Kwai". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Section 1". Far East POW Family. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56.20km - Thailand". 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion Ex Members Association. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  11. ^ "17d. Kanchanaburi". US POWs Thai-Burma Railway. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  12. ^ "The Jeath War Museum". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  13. ^ "Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak)". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Chungkai War Cemetery". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  15. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  16. ^ "ปริมาณการใช้น้ำของพืชอ้างอิงโดยวิธีของ Penman Monteith (Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Penman Monteith)" (PDF) (in Thai). Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department. p. 77. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010". Thai Meteorological Department. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
[edit]

14°1′10″N 99°31′52″E / 14.01944°N 99.53111°E / 14.01944; 99.53111