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an Asia that you won't be reading about in the guide books...

Tthe infamous Bridge over the River Kwae. To find out more about the story behind the line www.tbrconline.com is full of information

What remains of the old city gate

A Chinese temple in a narrow street of the old town

Hellfire Pass built pretty much by hand through solid rock

Thonburi bound train waiting to go across the Whampoo Viaduct

The controversial Tiger Temple. Are they drugged? Is the abbot a shrewd businessman in this world? Is there an alternative for the animals that come here? Is the alternative any better than being cooped up in small cages then prodded and grabbed by tourists? 300 baht to enter but of course please feel free to donate more if you wish...

Muang Singh, Khmer era ruins near the Tiger Temple but much quieter, I guess it just lacks the sex appeal of tigers or Angkor Wat.

Kanchanaburi is a couple of hours west of Bangkok and is easily reached by frequent buses from the Southern Bus Terminal. There are also a couple of trains a day that leave from Bangkok Noi.

There's heaps of places to stay down by the river. Jolly Frog is one of the longest running and has a choice location though a couple of monstrosities on the far bank have spoilt the view. Perhaps more pleasant is Apple's which certainly has some of the best Thai food in town but lacks the river view.

A few bars have opened in the area but I don't think many will last, they all look like what they are, shop houses with a few chairs selling beer. I'm not alone in thinking they detract somewhat from the area but who's to say if they survive or not. For me one of Kanchanaburi's attractions was it's sedate lifestyle after the hurly burly of Bangkok...