Faces and Phases of Western Thailand
Thailand shares its longest land border with Myanmar in the west. This is why it is no surprise that many communities in this side of the country, including the towns of Mae Sot and Sangkhlaburi, will remind you of quiet Burmese towns, with longyi-clad men and ladies with full-on thanakha roaming around.
At the height of the Second World War, thousands of forced laborers and prisoners of war of imperial Japan were rounded up to build the Thai-Burma Death Railway. The Bridge over the River Kwai is the most popular section. While considered an engineering feat due to the scale of construction, this wartime project also saw some of the most brutal war crimes committed in recent history.
Thailand’s western region is also home to many secluded forests and impressive waterfalls, such as those in Kanchanaburi and Tak. Meanwhile, the provinces of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Ratchaburi offer good spots for a quick weekend getaway from Bangkok. There is the rich biodiversity of Kaeng Krachan National Park, the white sand beaches of Cha-am and Hua Hin, as well as the rustic floating market of Damnoen Saduak.
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