| Kanchanaburi | |
| Native Name: | āļāļēāļāļāļāļāļļāļĢāļĩ |
| Native Name Lang: | th |
| Settlement Type: | Province |
| Nickname: | Mueang Kan (Thai: āđāļĄāļ·āļāļāļāļēāļāļāļāđ) |
| Mottoes: | āđāļāļ§āđāļāđāļāļĢāļēāļ āļāđāļēāļāđāļāļāļĩāļĒāđ āļĄāļāļĩāđāļĄāļ·āļāļāļāļēāļāļāļāđ āļŠāļ°āļāļēāļāļāđāļēāļĄāđāļĄāđāļāđāļģāđāļāļ§ āđāļŦāļĨāđāļāđāļĢāđāļāđāļģāļāļ ("The ancient province. The (Three) Pagodas Pass Checkpoint, Gems of Mueang Kan, Bridge on the River Kwai. Source of minerals and waterfalls.") |
| Mapsize: | frameless |
| Coordinates: | 14.0042°N 99.5492°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Thailand |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Kanchanaburi |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Athisarn Inthra |
| Leader Name1: | Prawat Kitthamkulnit |
| Area Total Km2: | 19,482 |
| Area Rank: | 3rd |
| Population Total: | 896,351 |
| Population As Of: | 2024 |
| Population Rank: | 26th |
| Population Density Km2: | 46 |
| Population Density Rank: | 74th |
| Demographics Type2: | GDP |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Total |
| Demographics2 Info1: | baht 97 billion (US$3.5 billion) (2019) |
| Demographics Type1: | Human Achievement Index |
| Demographics1 Title1: | HAI (2022) |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 0.6372 "average" Ranked 43rd |
| Timezone1: | ICT |
| Utc Offset1: | +7 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 71xxx |
| Area Code Type: | Calling code |
| Area Code: | 034 |
| Iso Code: | TH-71 |
| Registration Plate: | āļāļēāļāļāļāļāļļāļĢāļĩ |
Kanchanaburi (Thai: āļāļēāļāļāļāļāļļāļĢāļĩ, pronounced as /th/) is the largest province (changwat) of Western Thailand. Tourists are attracted by the history of its ancient civilization and the World War II Bridge over the River Kwai, originally spelt "Khwae" but officially changed to Kwai to accommodate the expectations of tourists.
Archaeological remains found in Kanchanaburi date back to the 4th century, with evidence of trade with surrounding regions at that time. Very little is known about the historical Khmer influence in Kanchanaburi, but Prasat Muang Sing, one of the country's most well-known Khmer sites, provides evidence of their occupation.
Not much was historically recorded about Kanchanaburi province before the reign of King Rama I, but some historians believe that the province was of strategic importance during the Ayutthaya period, since it was on the invasion route from Burma. In 1982, many human and elephant skeletons and swords were found in Phanom Thuan district, leading to speculation that this site might even have been the site of the famous battle of King Naresuan against the Burmese crown prince, most commonly assigned to the Don Chedi district in nearby Suphanburi province.
Most foreigners are mainly aware of Kanchanaburi's recent history with the Burma Railway. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in 1942, both allied POWs and Asian labourers were ordered by the Japanese to build a Thailand-Burma railway. Eventually, more than 100,000 people (16,000 allied POWs and 90,000 local Asian labourers) died from horrific working conditions.
The province is in the west of Thailand, 129 km from Bangkok, and covers a total area of approximately 19482km2. It is the country's third largest province, after Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai. Topographically, it is covered with timber and evergreen forests. The total forest area is 11990km2 or 61.5 percent of provincial area. The district covers the source valleys of the rivers Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi ("River Kwai"), which merge at Kanchanaburi city to form the Mae Klong River.
The neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from the north) Tak, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Ratchaburi. In the west it borders Kayin State, Mon State, and the Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar.
Bong Ti is a transnational border crossing point, which is expected to gain in importance if the planned Dawei deepwater port project goes ahead, along with a highway and a railway line between Bangkok and the port.
Seven of the nine national parks in the mountainous areas of the Tenasserim Hills from region 3 (Ban Pong), Phu Toei and Thai Prachan national parks are not in Kanchanaburi province, form protected areas in Kanchanaburi province.(visitors in fiscal year 2024)
| 1532km2 | (70,980) | |
| 1497km2 | (48,599) | |
| 1236km2 | (123,285) | |
| 673km2 | (6,026) | |
| 550km2 | (519,235) | |
| 500km2 | (67,698) | |
| Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park | 59km2 | (27,715) |
Two of three wildlife sanctuaries from region 3 (Ban Pong), Mae Nam Phachi is not in Kanchanaburi province, are the protected areas of Kanchanaburi province.
| Thung Yai Naresuan West Wildlife Sanctuary | 2130km2 |
| 859km2 | |
Kanchanaburi province has a tropical savanna climate (KÃķppen climate classification Aw). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 37.8C. The monsoon season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temparatures during the day, although nights remain warm.
The seal of the province shows the three stupas on Bantadthong Mountain. They give the name to the mountain pass to Myanmar, called "Three Pagodas Pass".
The provincial flower is the night-flowering jasmine (Nyctanthes arbortristis). The provincial tree is the Moulmein lancewood (Homalium tomentosum). The provincial aquatic animal is the Jullien's golden carp (Probarbus jullieni).
The provincial motto is "The ancient province. The (Three) Pagodas Pass Checkpoint, Gems of Kan, Bridge on the River Kwai. Source of minerals and waterfalls."
Population history of Kanchanaburi province is as follows:
There are total 613 Theravada Buddhist temples in the province.
79 in Mueang Kanchanaburi, 68 in Lao Khwan, 68 in Sai Yok, 59 in Thong Pha Phum, 55 in Tha Muang,
46 in Tha Maka, 43 in Bo Phloi,40 in Phanom Thuan, 37 in Si Sawat, 36 in Nong Prue, 32 in Dan Makham Tia,
32 in Huai Krachao, 18 in Sangkhla Buri.
There are 36 Christian churches and seven Mosques.
Kanchanaburi is divided into 13 districts (amphoe). The districts are further divided into 107 subdistricts (tambon).
| No. | District | Thai | Pop. | Subd. | Villages | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mueang Kanchanaburi | āđāļĄāļ·āļāļāļāļēāļāļāļāļāļļāļĢāļĩ | 168,541 | 15 | 102 | |
| 2 | Sai Yok | āđāļāļĢāđāļĒāļ | 66,733 | 7 | 57 | |
| 3 | Bo Phloi | āļāđāļāļāļĨāļāļĒ | 57,176 | 9 | 80 | |
| 4 | Si Sawat | āļĻāļĢāļĩāļŠāļ§āļąāļŠāļāļīāđ | 26,857 | 6 | 33 | |
| 5 | Tha Maka | āļāđāļēāļĄāļ°āļāļē | 131,797 | 17 | 154 | |
| 6 | Tha Muang | āļāđāļēāļĄāđāļ§āļ | 109,000 | 13 | 119 | |
| 7 | Thong Pha Phum | āļāļāļāļāļēāļ āļđāļĄāļī | 71,315 | 7 | 45 | |
| 8 | Sangkhla Buri | āļŠāļąāļāļāļĨāļ°āļāļļāļĢāļĩ | 54,459 | 3 | 21 | |
| 9 | Phanom Thuan | āļāļāļĄāļāļ§āļ | 52,319 | 12 | 103 | |
| 10 | Lao Khwan | āđāļĨāļēāļāļ§āļąāļ | 58,587 | 7 | 90 | |
| 11 | Dan Makham Tia | āļāđāļēāļāļĄāļ°āļāļēāļĄāđāļāļĩāđāļĒ | 33,736 | 4 | 41 | |
| 12 | Nong Prue | āļŦāļāļāļāļāļĢāļ·āļ | 31,732 | 3 | 43 | |
| 13 | Huai Krachao | āļŦāđāļ§āļĒāļāļĢāļ°āđāļāļē | 34,098 | 4 | 73 | |
| Total | 896,351 | 107 | 961 |
As of December 2024 there are: one Kanchanaburi provincial administrative organization - PAO (Thai: ongkan borihan suan changwat - o bo toh) and 46 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Mueang Kanchanaburi, Pak Phraek and Tha Ruea Phra Thaen are town municipalities (thesaban mueang) and 43 are subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).
| Town municipality | District | Pop. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pak Phraek | Mueang | 28,590 | |
| Mueang Kanchanaburi | Mueang | 24,624 | |
| Tha Ruea Phra Thaen | Tha Maka | 10,357 |
| Subdistrict mun. | District | Pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Tha Makham | Mueang | 11,782 |
| Nong Bua | Mueang | 7,120 |
| Kaeng Sian | Mueang | 6,457 |
| Lat Ya | Mueang | 5,413 |
| Sai Yok | Sai Yok | 11,235 |
| Namtok Sai Yok Noi | Sai Yok | 3,914 |
| Wang Pho | Sai Yok | 2,120 |
| Bo Phloi | Bo Phloi | 6,692 |
| Nong Ri | Bo Phloi | 2,155 |
| Khao Chot | Si Sawat | 4,602 |
| Erawan | Si Sawat | 1,013 |
| Tha Mai | Tha Maka | 8,884 |
| Tha Maka | Tha Maka | 8,027 |
| Phra Thaen | Tha Maka | 6,195 |
| Nong Lan | Tha Maka | 4,743 |
| Wat Niao | Tha Maka | 4,389 |
| Don Khamin | Tha Maka | 4,299 |
| Phra Thaen Lam Phraya | Tha Maka | 3,622 |
| Luk Kae | Tha Maka | 3,305 |
| Wang Sala | Tha Muang | 11,781 |
| Tha Muang | Tha Muang | 9,351 |
| Wang Khanai | Tha Muang | 9,331 |
| Tha Lo | Tha Muang | 9,230 |
| Subdistrict mun. | District | Pop. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muang Chum | Tha Muang | 5,495 | |
| Nong Khao | Tha Muang | 4,857 | |
| Nong Ya Dok Khao | Tha Muang | 4,570 | |
| Nong Tak Ya | Tha Muang | 3,045 | |
| Samrong | Tha Muang | 1,778 | |
| Tha Khanun | Thong Pha Phum | 18,128 | |
| Linthin | Thong Pha Phum | 8,595 | |
| Sahakon Nikhon | Thong Pha Phum | 5,679 | |
| Thong Pha Phum | Thong Pha Phum | 3,052 | |
| Wang Ka | Sangkhla Buri | 9,769 | |
| Rang Wai | Phanom Thuan | 7,169 | |
| Phanom Thuan | Phanom Thuan | 5,082 | |
| Don Chedi | Phanom Thuan | 4,881 | |
| Talat Khet | Phanom Thuan | 3,985 | |
| Nong Sarai | Phanom Thuan | 3,667 | |
| Lao Khwan | Lao Khwan | 2,648 | |
| Nong Fai | Lao Khwan | 2,203 | |
| Dan Makham Tia | Dan Makham Tia | 2,433 | |
| Somdet Charoen | Nong Prue | 6,986 | |
| Nong Pla Lai | Nong Prue | 6,536 | |
| Nong Prue | Nong Prue | 4,375 | |
| Huai Krachao | Huai Krachao | 9,134 | |
| Salong Ruea | Huai Krachao | 6,536 |
The non-municipal areas are administered by 72 Subdistrict Administrative Organizations (SAO) (ongkan borihan suan tambon):
| 12 Tha Maka | 9 Mueang | 8 Tha Muang | 7 Lao Khwan | 6 Bo Phloi | 6 Sai Yok | 5 Phanom Thuan |
| 5 Si Sawat | 4 Dan Makham Tia | 4 Thong Pha Phum | 3 Sangkhla Buri | 2 Huai Krachao | 1 Nong Prue |
The total population of Kanchanaburi province is 896,351, of which Mueang Kanchanaburi district is the most populated with 168,541 people. Tha Maka and Tha Muang districts also have a population exceeding 100,000 people. The remaining ten districts have populations of 27,000 to 71,000, of which Si Sawat district is the least populated district with 26,857 people.
| District | Population | Area | Population density | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data | Proportion | km2 | sq mile | Proportion | per km2 | per sq mile | |||
| 1 | Mueang | 168,541 | 18.8% | 1,236 | 477 | 6.3% | 136 | 353 | |
| 2 | Tha Maka | 131,797 | 14.7% | 341 | 131 | 1.8% | 386 | 1,006 | |
| 3 | Tha Muang | 109,000 | 12.2% | 611 | 236 | 3.1% | 178 | 461 | |
| 4 | Thong Pha Phum | 71,315 | 8.0% | 3,655 | 1,411 | 18.8% | 20 | 50 | |
| 5 | Sai Yok | 66,733 | 7.4% | 2,729 | 1,054 | 14.0% | 24 | 63 | |
| 6 | Lao Khwam | 58,587 | 6.5% | 831 | 321 | 4.3% | 70 | 183 | |
| 7 | Bo Phloi | 57,176 | 6.4% | 967 | 373 | 5.0% | 59 | 153 | |
| 8 | Sangkhla Buri | 54,459 | 6.1% | 3,349 | 1,293 | 17.2% | 16 | 42 | |
| 9 | Phanom Thuan | 52,319 | 5.8% | 536 | 207 | 2.7% | 98 | 252 | |
| 10 | Huai Krachao | 34,098 | 3.8% | 622 | 240 | 3.2% | 55 | 142 | |
| 11 | Dan Makham Tia | 33,736 | 3.8% | 807 | 312 | 4.1% | 42 | 108 | |
| 12 | Nong Prue | 31,732 | 3.5% | 502 | 194 | 2.6% | 63 | 163 | |
| 13 | Si Sawat | 26,857 | 3.0% | 3,296 | 1,273 | 16.9% | 8 | 21 | |
| Total | 896,351 | 100.0% | 19,482 | 7,522 | 100.0% | 46 | 119 |
There are seventeen government hospitals in Kanchanaburi provinces, of which Mueang Kanchanaburi district has two hospitals:
The other twelve districts each have a hospital, but Nong Prue, Sai Yok and Si Sawat districts each have two hospitals as an exception.
There are four private hospitals in Kanchanaburi province, of which Mueang Kanchanaburi district has two hospitals:
The other two hospitals are:
in Sangkhla Buri district:
In Tha Maka district:
There are total 142 health-promoting hospitals in the province, of which: 22 in Mueang Kanchanaburi, 15 in Tha Maka, 14 in Tha Muang, 13 in Lao Khwan, 13 in Thong Pha Phum, 12 in Sai Yok, 10 in Bo Phloi, 9 in Phanom Thuan, 9 in Si Sawat, 7 in Nong Prue, 6 in Dan Makham Tia, 6 in Sangkhla Buri and 6 in Huai Krachao.
Around 234 clinics are in Kanchanaburi province, of which 89 clinics (38%) in Mueang Kanchanaburi district, 43 in Tha Muang, 39 in Tha Maka, 12 in Bo Phloi, 10 in Thong Pha Phum, 9 in Lao Khwan, 7 in Dan Makham Tia, 7 in Phanom Thuan, 5 in Si Sawat, 4 in Nong Prue, 4 in Sangkhla Buri, 3 in Sai Yok and 2 in Huai Krachao.
In Kanchanaburi province there are many educational institutions at all levels, from kindergarten to university level, both government and private.
There are four higher education institutes in the province with 12,984 students:
In 2022, Kanchanaburi province had an economic output of 121.372 billion baht (US$3.500 billion). This amounts to per capita gross provincial product (GPP) of 146,600 baht (US$3,800). In 2024 the total workforce was 482,596 of which 477,846 persons were employed in economic activity. In agriculture and fishery 200,207 persons (41.9%) were employed and in the non-agricultural sector 277,639 persons (58.1%).
| Activities | Baht | Percent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture + fishery | 30,384,000,000 | 25.0 | |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 29,638,000,000 | 24.4 | |
| 3 | Trade | 14,320,000,000 | 11.8 | |
| 4 | Defence / publ.admin. | 9,167,000,000 | 7.6 | |
| 5 | Education | 6,081,000,000 | 5.0 | |
| 6 | Finance | 5,002,000,000 | 4.1 | |
| 7 | Real estate | 4,080,000,000 | 3.3 | |
| 8 | Construction | 3,846,000,000 | 3.2 | |
| 9 | Human health | 3,495,000,000 | 2.9 | |
| 10 | Transportation | 3,369,000,000 | 2.8 | |
| 11 | Energy | 2,933,000,000 | 2.4 | |
| 12 | Accommodation / food | 2,823,000,000 | 2.3 | |
| 13 | Mining | 2,375,000,000 | 2.0 | |
| 14 | Administration | 1,459,000,000 | 1.2 | |
| 15 | Other service activity | 732,000,000 | 0.6 | |
| 16 | Information | 661,000,000 | 0.5 | |
| 17 | Pastime | 546,000,000 | 0.5 | |
| 18 | Water supply | 361,000,000 | 0.3 | |
| 19 | Scientific activity | 100,000,000 | 0.1 | |
| Total | 121,372,000,000 | 100 |
| Activities | Workforce | Percent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture and fishery | 200,207 | 41.9 | |
| 2 | Trade | 89,139 | 18.6 | |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 41,611 | 8.7 | |
| 4 | Accommodation and food | 30,009 | 6.3 | |
| 5 | Defence and publ.admin. | 29,725 | 6.2 | |
| 6 | Construction | 29,061 | 6.1 | |
| 7 | Education | 13,130 | 2.7 | |
| 8 | Human health | 9,235 | 1.9 | |
| 9 | Other service activity | 6,793 | 1.4 | |
| 10 | Transportation | 6,141 | 1.3 | |
| 11 | Pastime | 5,122 | 1.1 | |
| 12 | Finance | 4,359 | 0.9 | |
| 13 | Mining | 3,109 | 0.7 | |
| 14 | Administration | 2,917 | 0.6 | |
| 15 | Energy | 2,620 | 0.5 | |
| 16 | Water supply | 1,714 | 0.4 | |
| 17 | Household enterprise | 1,344 | 0.3 | |
| 18 | Real estate | 715 | 0.2 | |
| 19 | Information | 485 | 0.1 | |
| 20 | Scientific activity | 410 | 0.1 | |
| Total | 477,846 | 100 |
Agriculture in Kanchanaburi province, the biggest sector of the economy, generated 30.384 billion baht (US$800 billion) or 25% of GPP with a workforce of 200,207 (41.9% of all employed persons).
Agricultural land use, 3752kmÂē is 19.3% of total land of Kanchanaburi province 19482kmÂē. This is divided as follows: upland rice: 2231kmÂē 60%, paddy land: 601kmÂē 16%, orchard/perennial crop: 399kmÂē 10%, farmland: 296kmÂē 8% and vegetable/ornamental plant: 225kmÂē 6%.
Production of the three main arable crops: sugarcane 4,391,262 tonnes, cassava 1,929,485 tonnes and rice 340,812 tonnes.
Production of the four main vegetable crops: baby corn 104,320 tonnes, sweet corn 33,102 tonnes, leaf mustard 16,023 and Chinese kale 12,636 tonnes.
Agricultural commodities produced in significant amounts include: oil palm 30,394 tonnes and para rubber 21,931 tonnes. Further there are: pomelo 7,608 tonnes; durian 1,248 tonnes; longan 1,002 tonnes and sweet banana 998 tonnes.
Livestock produced included: chickens 35,073,217, ducks 722,269, swines 684,008, beef cattle 333,357, goats 123,607, dairy cattle 33,065, sheep 32,208 and buffalo 12,059.
Total catch from 3,589 freshwater aquaculture companies amounted to 6,458,662 tonnes.
The second sector of the economy generated 29,638 billion baht (US$780 billion) or 24.4% of GPP with 600 registered companies and a workforce of 41,611 people (8.7%).
A few of these companies are:
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, the third sector of the economy generated 14,320 billion baht (US$377 billion) or 11.8% of GPP with 1,539 registered entities and a workforce of 41,611 (8.7%).
With 932 construction entities and a workforce of 29,061 people (6.1%) contributed 3,846 billion baht (US$9.1 billion) or 3.2% of GPP.
Transportation with 242 companies and 6,141 people (1.3%) contributed 3,269 billion baht (US$86 billion) or 2.8% of GPP.
Kanchanaburi's main railway station is Kanchanaburi railway station, served by the Southern Line Nam Tok Branch Line (Burma Railway).
250 registered hotels, restaurants and food service activities contributed 2,823 billion baht (US$74.6 billion) or 2.3 percent of GPP, with a workforce numbering 30,009 (6.3%).
92 mining companies with a workforce of 3,109 people (0.7%) contributed 2,375 billion baht (US$62.5 billion) or 2.0 percemt of GPP.
In 1918, alluvial sapphire deposits were discovered near Bo Ploi. It was a major source of sapphires in the 1980s and 1990s.
Kanchanaburi province is the site of Klity Creek, a waterway heavily polluted by the practices of the Lead Concentrate Company. The company was ordered by a Thai court to clean up its environmental damage in 2013. To date (2019) the court ordered clean-up has been halting and ineffectual.
There were 15,073 rooms in accommodations in 2022; about 11,372,646 people which 11,289,583 Thai (99.3%) and 83,063 foreigners (0.7%) visited Kanchanaburi province and contributed 23.88 billion baht (US$628 million) to tourism revenues. Further explained: 2,961,859 tourists of which 2,897,536 thai and 64,323 foreigners; 8,410,787 excursionists of which 8,392,047 thai and 18,740 foreigners. Compared to the two previous years 2020 and 2021, the number of people decreased by 3.3 and 5.5% respectively.
The ThailandâBurma Railway Centre, which gives a good introduction of the Burma Railway and its history. There are also two war cemeteries, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Chungkai War Cemetery.
The JEATH War Museum is located near the ThailandâBurma Railway station of Kanchanaburi. Although it is called the War Museum, the museum also houses a historical art gallery with murals and statues of historical figures and events from that region. Moreover, aside from WWII artifacts, there is also a sanctuary for stray cats, a wildlife atrium, a Miss Thailand costume museum, an archive library from the founder of the museum, the Chansiri family. The museum was inaugurated on May 11, 1987.
| Overview protected areas of Kanchanaburi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Health | Education | Employment | Income | |
| 23 | 69 | 24 | 49 | |
| Housing | Family | Transport | Participation | |
| 4 | 61 | 56 | 43 | |
| Province Kanchanaburi, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6372 is "average", occupies place 43 in the ranking. | ||||
| Rank | Classification | |
| 1 - 13 | "high" | |
| 14 - 29 | "somewhat high" | |
| 30 - 45 | "average" | |
| 46 - 61 | "somewhat low" | |
| 62 - 77 | "low" |
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