Japanese War Memorial This occupies a small plot of riverside land just south of the bridge.

The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery On Saeng Chuto Road, opposite the Railway Station, this immaculately maintained enclave contains the remains of 6,982 Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the ‘Death Railway’. An estimated 16,000 Allied prisoners of war, and 49,000 forced laborers, died during the construction of the ‘Death Railway’ and Bridge over the River Kwai.

The Chung-Kai War Cemetery 2 kilometres south of town, on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, this occupies the former site of the Chung-Kai Prisoner of War Camp. This second cemetery is more peaceful, attractively landscaped, and contains some 1,750 remains.

The JEATH War Museum This enclave in the riverside precincts of Wat Chaichumphon has been constructed largely in the form of an Allied prisoner-of-war camp. The name JEATH is derived from Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland. The thatched detention hut with cramped, elevated bamboo bunks contains photographic, pictorial and physical memorabilia dating from the Second World War. Several prisoners of war who survived appalling conditions have donated items from that time to add to the museum’s authenticity. Opening hours: 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM daily Admission fee: 20 baht

Wat Tham Khao Poon 1 kilometre southwest of the Chung-Kai War Cemetery, this Buddhist temple is locally renowned for a cave containing stalactites and stalagmites, and many beautiful Buddha images.

ACCOMMODATION

Kanchanaburi offers air-conditioned hotels and resorts ,bungalows, guest houses and riverside rafts within the provincial capital. River raft accommodation is also available in several natural locations, alongside both rivers and the Khao Laem and Sri Nagarind reservoirs.

Visitors wishing to stay at any of Kanchanaburi’s national parks are advised to book beforehand, particularly if they wish to make weekend or public holiday outings. Reservations should be made through Bangkok’s National Parks Division of the Royal Forestry Department (Tel: 579-5025, 5794842).

Visitors wishing to stay at Khao Laem or Srinagarind Dams must make reservations through the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in Bangkok, Tel: 436-3179, 424-4794.

TRANSPORTATION

Travel Within Kanchanaburi Transportation within the provincial capital is most enjoyable on tricycles. These can be hired at the rate of approximately 150 Baht for two to three hours, enabling visitors to see the Bridge over the River Kwai, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the waterfront Song Kwai Road area, and the JEATH War Museum in one circuit.

Motorcycles or jeeps can be rented on a daily or weekly basis at several outlets on Saeng Chuto Road, beside the TAT Kanchanaburi office, and around the Song Kwai Road area. Visitors are advised to shop around since hire rates and conditions vary, and to check with the TAT office for prevailing rates.

The boat trip to the Lawa Cave and Sai Yok Yai Waterfall from the Pak Saeng Pier in Tambon Tha Sao takes around 4 hours for the return trip, and costs between 1,000 and 1,500 baht per boat, each with a seating capacity of 10 to 12 persons.

The 45-70-minute boat ride to Sri Nagarind National Park headquarters, from the Tha Kradan Pier, costs 1,500 baht upwards, again on boats with seating capacities of 10 to 12 persons.

Visitors are advised to check with the TAT office in Kanchanaburi for prevailing rates and the availability of alternate methods of transportation, such as on public holidays and weekends.

Air-conditioned and regular coaches leave Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal throughout the day for the 2 to 3-hour journey.

Trains leave the Bangkok Noi Railway Station daily for Kanchanaburi.

The TAT office in Kanchanaburi issues an updated and current timetable for bus and rail services between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi, and major neighboring provinces.

Kanchanaburi is the site of the world-famous Bridge Over The River Kwai, immortalized in books and movies, and is noted for rugged natural beauty where mountains and river valleys have inspired development of hydroelectric power and where labyrinthine dam reservoirs provide further scenic elements to the province’s natural beauty.

Beyond the compact provincial capital, some 130 kilometres, and a comfortable two-hour drive, from Bangkok, where the Kwai Yai and the Kwai Noi rivers unite to form the Mae Klong River, Kanchanaburi unfolds in progressively arresting scenic beauty in a landscape characterized by several waterfalls, caves once inhabited by Neolithic man, national parks and tranquil riverine and reservoir settings.

Opportunities abound for bucolic living aboard rafts on dazzling rivers and reservoirs, and provide the focal point for memorable holidays for nature lovers who delight in natural surroundings and pleasures without sacrificing basic comforts.

The Bridge Over The River Kwai is the reason why so many visit Kanchanaburi. It was importalised in David Lean’s epic movie that was actually filmed in Sri Lanka with a wooden bridge that gave a far more dramatic explosion than the actual metal one would have done. Today the bombing of the bridge is celebrated annually on it’s anniversary with The River Kwai Bridge Festival held 28 Nov-7 Dec.

In June 1942 the Japanese High Command ordered a single-line 1 metre gauge railway to run 250 miles from Ban Pong in Thailand via Three Pagodas Pass to Thanbyuzayat in Burma. Its purpose was to carry 3,000 tons of cargo daily to support their invasion of India, the a part of the British Empire. Construction started in October 1942 and by late October 1943 was completed at the cost of lives of 16,000 prisoners of war and 100,000 impressed Asian slave labourers of Chinese, South Indian, Malay, Burmese, Japanese and Dutch Indonesian origin. One life was lost for every sleeper on the track.

Some 6,982 POW’s are buried under the immactulately clipped turf of Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak) 1km from the centre of town and a further 1,700 at Chungkai Cemetery.

Kanchanaburi Town is 128 kms west of Bangkok and can be easily reached either by train from Hualamphong Railway Station, by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal or driving on the new express way from Pinklao. Every Saturday and Sunday a special train leaves Bangkok at 6.30am. After a 40 minuate stop at Nakom Pathom it continues to the River Kwai ridge where it stops for 10 minutes photo opportunity after which it passes the site of the former POW Camp before cautiously edging its way along the cliff-hugging track built by the allied troops.

At Nam Tok Waterfall there is a Buddhist Memorial built by the government of Japan for those of all nationalities and religions that lost their lives in the construction of the Death Railway.

Beside the waterfall stands a spirit house and State Railway Steam Train 702, built by Mitsubishi in 1935 and was sold to the Thai Government at the end of WW II. This was part of a package of one and half million pounds for the track and rolling stock seized from the Japanese Army. The State Railway of Thailand still has in working condition seven of the original steam trains which are used every Saturday and Sunday for special trips from the River Kwai Bridge to Nam Tok.

45km west of Kanchanaburi is Muang Singh , the most westernly Khmer Temple in Thailand. The name translates to “Sanctuary of the City of the Lion”.

The temple’s importance is its strategic location, on the road to the west of Three Pagoda Pass that crosses into Burma.

There is little doubt that this was a garrison town to protect the western limit of the Khymer empire and was probably an important trading post.

In addition it is possible to continue from Kanchanaburi to Three Pagoda Pass where subject to prevailing political conditions it may be possible to cross into Myanmar.

Millennium Resort Patong Phuket Tucked within? the fashionable Jungceylon Shopping Centre – Phuket?s trendy shopping hub – this Five-Star Resort epitomizes the true Urban LIving in a Resort. Here, a modern and contemporary design sets the mood for guests within the immediate vicinity of Patong Beach and the island?s concentraiton of shops, restaurants and entertainment.

Phuket, Thailand?s Pearl of the Andaman, is everyone?s dream destination. The island offers a huge range of attractions, from spectacular golfing courses to gorgeous scuba-diving locations along with a vibrant nightlife. If you?re a beach person welcome to paradise, if you?re a food enthusiast, likewise. If you want a holiday away from it all, no problem whatsoever. But for shopaholics there?s only one place to stay; at Millennium Resort, Patong.

Consisting of two Wings, the Lakeside and the Beachside, the 224 and 197 guestrooms are designed to exude a Resort like ambience with the feel extending to each of the Wing?s Dining Outlets. It also houses the Escentika Spa, a well-equipped Gymnasium, Ballroom, Function Rooms and two Swimming Pools.

Swimming Pool – Lakeside wing
The 120-metre, T-shaped pool is on the fourth floor, open to a fresh sea breeze and features a pool bar serving up delicious light snacks and refreshing drinks. Surrounding the pool are 52 sun loungers with parasols and to the side is a kids? pool. Palm trees provide a tropical atmosphere and to the east side two large frangipanis grace the entrance to the spa. There are steps and a steel railing to ensure safe entrance into the water. At the western end two large golden-coloured oriental motifs adorn the steps into the pool. Each Pool Access Cabana room has a Jacuzzi. The pool ?closes? at 20:00 but guests are free to use it unsupervised at their own risk after that time.

Rooms & Suites
There are two wings: The Lakeside and the Beachside with 224 and 197 guestrooms respectively. Millennium follows the same design for all of its rooms excepting the executive suites with slight exceptions in room size.

Rooms feature subtle pastel shades with beige tiled flooring. At the Lakeside wing they feature a large balcony with table and chairs. There is a large sofa with cushions and a coffee table near the sliding balcony doors with a mirror opposite. Superior rooms in the Beachside wing do not have balconies. Facilities include a satellite TV, internet access, tea and coffee making facilities in the bathroom, a king-size bed with a large illuminated headboard, generous hanging and storage space with ironing facilities, a writing space, many different lighting combinations and a plethora of colourful cushions and pillows on the bed. The bathrooms have slate-grey non-slip floor tiles, black wall tiles, a large white bath tub and in-tub showering facilities, see-through partitions with wooden Venetian blinds on the room side, complimentary douche gel, shampoo, conditioner and after-sun lotion as well as toothbrush, toothpaste and comb and two bottles of drinking water daily. A large mirror over the sink gives the room extra dimensions.

Cabana Pool Access rooms have all of the above with steps from the sun terrace leading into the pool as well as their own Jacuzzi. Deluxe Beachside also feature DVD players (DVD?s available at reception).

Executive Suites Lakeside 65sqm: There are four of these spacious suites and they feature a bedroom/lounge/bathroom arrangement with beige floor tiles, large sliding balcony doors in the bedroom and lounge, a spacious balcony overlooking the pool, two satellite TV?s, a DVD player in the lounge as well as a writing desk and large sofa with a coffee table. The bedroom design is similar to the rest of the hotel?s rooms, as is the bathroom but both are slightly bigger.

Primarily located at the Beachside Wing, our Superior rooms vibrant and exciting with bright colour scheme for your total enjoyment. They are fitted with either a King or Twin beds and is furnished witha sofa set, lounge chair, coffee table, round stool, work desk with power point console and a 29 inch television with 45 cable channels available. The bathrooms comes with an enclosed glass shower area and full bathroom amenities. All Superior rooms at Beachside Wing have balconies with outdoor furniture and have views of the City or Shopping Mall.

Health & Fitness Centre
Open from 08:00 to 20:00 and located next to the swimming pool on the resort?s fourth floor, Millennium?s health & fitness centre features 15 state-of-the-art workout machines, constant professional surveillance, full-length mirrors, parquet flooring, two wide-screen TV?s showing sports channels and full air conditioning.

Jungceylon Shopping Centre is a 200,000 sqm heaven for shoppers with 75,000 sqm of retail space and more than 200 shops including Carrefour, Robinson?s Department Store and SF Cinema.

Restaurants & Dining
Lakeside: Bistro is a spacious and attractive restaurant that can handle 176 covers with fine dining options in air-conditioned comfort with continental and Thai cuisine. The restaurant has one of the largest cocktail lists on the island and a full wine list as well as a separate children?s menu. It also hosts daily international breakfast buffets. Lounge 98 features soft music and a great list of cocktails.

Beachside: Straits Dining, the second-floor air-conditioned restaurant features international and Asian cuisine, all day a la carte dining, a full breakfast buffet, a kids? menu, 94 covers and 24-hour room service as well as poolside service. On the ground floor in the large and well-appointed lobby Bar 8 Degrees is the last word in opulent, air-conditioned comfort and is the perfect place to unwind after shopping. Open week nights until 01:00 and until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring live music.

The Escentika Spa
The Escentika Spa at Millennium is situated in the resort?s Lakeside wing and has nine treatment rooms with one beauty salon. The rooms have beautiful parquet floors, discreet lighting arrangements, both ground level and raised treatment beds, facilities to handle couples, tasteful d?cor, adequate changing space and electric blankets for body wraps and facial steam facilities.

The Escentika has six experienced and qualified therapists and 14 different types of massage ? even a massage for children under 16. A good personal touch is the addition of an iPod in each room for guests to choose their own background music during treatment. Exclusively using Pevonia Botanica products, the spa features a wonderfully rich menu that offers everything from wraps to scrubs to facials to a five day-long spa packages and even offers hair treatments and braiding as well as pedicures and manicures.

Banquets & Meetings
Millennium has three function rooms in its Beachside wing and a 300sqm ballroom at Lakeside. The medium-sized (16-25 people) meeting rooms can be used for changeable purposes and have a full range of audio and video equipment. The meeting rooms come with pre-function areas and full catering services. Millennium offers a ?triple B? (bed, breakfast, broadband) package for traveling businessmen.

The resort?s well equipped ballroom and three function rooms, catering mainly to meetings, seminars, group conferences, team building activities and more are designed for various capacities and come complete with pre-function areas.

A dedicated catering team will be specially assigned to meet your needs.

Hotel Location

The Millennium stands right next to and has immediate access to the 200,000sqm Jungceylon shopping centre in downtown Patong with 75,000sqm of retail space and more than 200 shops, along with a multi-screen cinema. Just minutes from the beach and Patong?s famous nightlife, you?re in the most convenient spot in town.

With a business centre featuring three function rooms and a ballroom, swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness centre, a gorgeous Escentika spa, in-room wired and wireless internet and WI-FI in public areas, fine-dining restaurants along with many more facilities, the Millennium will exceed your needs in style.

Centrally located, stylish, ultra-modern facilities, rooftop pools, cutting-edge restaurants and bars-Millennium Resort in Patong has it all.