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Kanchanaburi
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Bridge on the Khwae Noi River (Kwai River), Kanchanaburi, Thai.
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Bridge on the Khwae Noi River (Kwai River), Kanchanaburi, Thai.
Bridge on the Khwae Noi River (Kwai River), Kanchanaburi, Thai.

Kanchanaburi

Thailand
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Kanchanaburi, town, western Thailand, 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Bangkok. The Khwae Noi (Kwai) River joins the Klong River near Kanchanaburi. Built in the 18th century as a defense against Burmese invaders, the walled town is the site of two paper factories. A cemetery there commemorates the Allied soldiers who died while constructing and operating the notorious “death railway” during World War II. The “Bridge on the River Kwai,” carrying that railway, was built to connect Japanese-occupied Bangkok with Burma (Myanmar). Running along the ancient trade route through the Khwae Noi valley and the Three Pagoda Pass (Phra Chedi Sam Ong) to Mawlamyine, in Myanmar, the railway is now in disrepair. Sai Yok Waterfall is near the town.

Large stands of bamboo in the surrounding area provide pulp for Kanchanaburi’s paper factories, and rice and tobacco are grown. Khao Salop Wildlife and Forest Reserve is in the locality. Pop. (2000) 52,369.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.