How to get there
It’s possible to access Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi by rail and road, with the latter being the most practical.
By train: Two very basic trains a day depart Bangkok Thon Buri (Bangkok Noi) Railway Station along the southern line to Kanchanaburi. The journey time is just under three hours.
There’s also a special weekend service that departs Bangkok’s Hua Lumphong Railway Station early Saturday morning, returning on Sunday evening; this service also runs over public holidays.
Regular trains depart from Hua Lumphong Railway Station to Ratchaburi, again on the southern line, taking between 2-3 hours, depending on which of the services is taken.
For further information regarding train services contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station, Tel. +66 (0)2 223 7010.
By road: From downtown Bangkok, it takes around 90 minutes to reach Ratchaburi and about two hours to Kanchanaburi.
Local transport
Aside from getting to and from Bangkok, limousines and taxis are the best bet for exploring the region and accessing the golf courses; these can be arranged through most of the larger hotels. The more energetic may want to explore Kanchanaburi using pedal-power, for which tricycles can be rented in town.
Self drive car hire: Local car hire is available from hotels and guest houses around the towns but there are no local internationally recognized agencies; the nearest ones are located in Bangkok.
Hertz: Bangkok office in Sathorn Road, Tel. +66 (0)2 266 4666
Avis (Thailand): Bangkok office in Wireless Road Tel. +66 (0)2 255 5300-4
Budget (Thailand): Bangkok office in Royal City Avenue Tel. +66 (0)2 203 0250
Where to eat
Aside from the restaurants and facilities at the clubhouses and hotels, there’s a fairly limited selection of both local and international restaurants in Kanchanaburi, along with a local menu at the night market.
There are also a few ‘floating’ restaurants near the bridge on the river Kwai, where diners can choose between air-conditioned or alfresco dining right over the river.
Thai and Chinese fare is the order of the day, although some have a small international selection as well. In Rachaburi there are several of branded chain food outlets in the two large shopping malls.
An early morning trip to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market will reward visitors with a variety of sweet and savoury noodle dishes with accompaniments of fresh fruit and vegetables.
For best information and insight on where and what to eat, see Pocket Guide FOOD Thailand − launching first quarter of 2010 − and its online version, www.foodguidethailand.com
Hospital in Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi Memorial Hospital
At the northern end of town, beyond the bridge over the River Kwai
24 hr Emergency contact
Tel. +66 (0)34 624184-93 #1027
Tel. +66 (0)34 624184-93
Hospital in Ratchaburi
Ratchaburi Hospital
In Somboonkul Road, opposite the law court
Tel. +66 (0)32 327901
Other courses
About 50 kilometres west of Bangkok Suwan Golf and Country Club is a well designed and beautifully maintained club; a perfect stop on the way out to Kanchanaburi.
Mission Hills Golf & Resort, another Jack Niklaus design, and Evergreen Hills Golf Club & Resort, designed by At-anan Yomchinda, are two very fine courses between Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
Then a few kilometres off the Saiyoke road, Lion Hills Golf and Country Club is notable for a particularly challenging back nine.
There’s also a wonderful Royal Thai Army course worth mentioning, Panurangsi Golf Club. Legend has it that here a group of golfers from Hua Hin once had an argument with the club house staff because they simply couldn’t believe how cheap their food and drinks bill was!
As it’s attached to an army engineering battalion, the course is usually in excellent condition and will be one of the cheapest in the region.
