Saiyok is one of the eminent districts travelers
often visit for a long time. Amphoe Saiyok adjoins Amphoe Muang,
so it is really easy and convenient to reach. The most popular
activities here are rafting downstream the Kwae River, and strolling
to the Saiyok waterfall. Moreover, there are also Muang Sing
ancient temples that on really should not miss.
Beside the history involving the World War II, Saiyok also has
the air of natures, arts, beliefs, and religions as well. All
of these are reflected in the unique style of temple, or stupa,
in the Muang Sing Historical Park. These stupas were constructed
during the reign of Jayavarman VII, an ancient Khmer King who
believed in Buddhism, around the 18-19 Buddhist Century.
The building was made from laterite. According to the structure
of ancient Cambodian architecture, the main stupa is considered
most important. It serves as the model of the whole solar system,
and can be compared to the Himalayas mountain of India which
symbolizes the center of the earth. Thus, please make sure you
visit the main stupa. Inside there is and images of Buddha with
a naga over his head. He archways called Gopura were built in
the four directions around the main stupa, and they are all
linked together by porches surrounding the temple. Within these
porches are the low bas-relief carved statue of Bodhisattva.
Also there is a library at the southeast of the main stupa,
storing religious books. The whole stupa is encircled by the
high laterite wall.
This is to the northwest of the Muang Sing temples, similar
to the one mentioned, its highlight is the main stupa. There
are laterite Gopura and porches, exquisitely built with lime
decorations, similar to the style of Dwarawati art.
The third site is outside the wall to the southwest of the Muang
Sing temples. Though the structure has mostly been ruined, the
trace of this ancient small building is still visible.
Located not far from the historical site no.3, this site is
also in bad condition, and the building is made from laterite
as well.
The stories of the Muang Sing Historical Park are presented
in order to give the information and historical knowledge to
pottery, a fragments from the sandstone images of Buddha, the
model of Bodhisattava, for example. All these statues were produced
according to the ancient Cambodian art style during the period
of King Jayavarman VII who created the bayon temple in Cambodia.
However, most of the Buddha images were sculpted by Thai craftsmen.
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The Bodhisattva images in radiant
posture, situated in the middle of the principle stupa. |
The pricicle stupa of the group of
Muang Sing temples, the archeologists believe they were
built since the period of the Jayavarman VII |
The pit, in which four skeletons were discovered, is located
on the bank of Kwae Noi river. Many other objects like pottery,
iron tools, necklaces, beads, and utensils were found here too.
Archeologists presumed that this area was used as a graveyard
by the prehistorical human 2,000 years ago.
Right now the two skeletons in the best condition are still
presented in the pit.
No other railway stations could reflect the past better than
this station. The railway lays along the high and steep cliff,
and the Kwae river flowing on the other side. So as the train
runs along the side of the towering cliff, it will look really
captivating and at the same time frightful.
This railway course can be found around the tham Krasae train
station, along the eastern riverside of the Kwae Noi. It is
about 3 kilometers southward from Amphoe Saiyok.
You can experience this excited train course yourself, if you
travel by train from Bangkok to Khao Pang waterfall on holidays.
The most exciting point is the curve of the death, to which
you can reach even on foot from the Tham Krasae train station
along the railway. From there you can see the picture of the
railway that twists and turns along the high cliff and the river
on right side.
Along the railway, a little bit further from the station, you
can find a little cave on the left where you can visit.
For those who wants to closely appreciate the atmosphere around
the Kwae Noi river, there are also lodging raft services for
tourists to take a break for some hours or even to stay overnight.
From the location of these rafts, the view is very gorgeous,
especially when the train is running by.
The bangkok railway train has a special program on holidays:
leaving Bangkok in the morning, passing Prapatom Chedi, the
Bridge over the Kwae river, the Tham Krasae train station, Saiyok
Noi waterfall, and the allies soldiers cemetery, Both one day
program and overnight program are provided.
For those who want to enjoy the scenery from the lodging rafts,
there are also tugging boat servece for the raft too. So you
can take pleasure in drifting along the river very comfortably.
Thai Railway Train Office (for advanced booking) Call 022250300
ext. 5217
Apart from the railway along the cliff at the Tham Krasae train
station, Saiyok also has the magic of natural attractions, especially
Saiyok Noi, or Khao Pang waterfall; the two famous caves, Tham
WangBadan, and tham Lawa, and the most district Chong Khao Kad
railway.
about 60 kilometers from the Kan city, drive on the highway
323. When you get to the Saiyok – Thong Phapume area,
the entrance to the waterfall will be on your right. On your
left, many restaurants, and souvenir stores are ready to give
you the service.
For along time, the name of Khao Pang or Saiyok Noi waterfall
is widely known to travellers. Similar to Maeya waterfall on
doi Intanon, this is considered one of the very first tourist
attractions in Thailand. Although the time has passed and many
other new waterfalls have been opened, the Saiyok Noi waterfall
still holds many tourists everyday, especially on weekends and
holiday.
Saiyok Noi waterfall is not a very big waterfall, the water
flowing along the 30 meters high limestone cliff to the pond
below. Amid the cool and shady atmosphere, tourists often enjoy
restiong or swimming in the pool. Travellers who return from
Amphoe Sangklaburi, and Amphoe Thongpapume also stop by this
waterfall before returning Bangkok.
In addition, if you have plenty of time, you may try to visit
the two caves, Tham Wangbadan, and Tham Lava. The former is
25 kilometer from Saiyok Noi waterfall, there are beautiful
stalactite and stalagmite inside. For Tham Lava, you can drive
further on the highway 323, and turn at the PakSang pier about
600 meters. The 458 meters long cave has several roomy spaces
inside, and they are really splendid.
Drive on the highway 323 for about 77
kilometers from the city, you will see the entrace of the agricultural
and cooperative division, take the left turn for one kilometer
and you will find the Museum of Commmoration.
If the railway along the cliff at the Tham Krasae station
had made you fell awed, the path here called ChongKhaoKad might
even make you feel more admiration. Yes, it was constructed
by excavationg the mountain little by little in order to lay
the railway, and the work was done by the war captives. Because
of this seemingly impossible task, this railway got the second
name “the Hellfire Pass”
There is an interesting museum here called the Museum of Commemoration.
It is the place where old photographs, and utensils during the
railway construction were kept. There is even video clipping,
recording the real event in black and white.
After that, starting from the back of the museum, you may
also walk along the railway from the ChongKhaoKad station to
the HinTok station as well.
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Up above from ChongKhaoKad, you can
have the bird eye view over the road that cuts through
the fields below. |
The delightful view can be seen at
the back of the museum. |
In order to appreciate the ChongKhaoKad to the core, you should
travel through the forest on foot. The full course takes about
4 hours, or you can take the shorter course which takes about
1 hour. The forest there is cool and shady, a fantastic place
for strolling indeed.
Most people know Saiyok as a city in Kanchanaburi only, but
in fact it is the name of a national park too. This park covers
the two districts of Amphoe Saiyok, and Amphoe Thong Phapume.
The natural state is so rich that some of the rare species like
the Itestdis overed and the smallest bat on earth are found
here. For tourists, the charming attractions are the Saiyok
waterfall, and the rafting on the Kwae Noi river.
The national park is approximately 100 kilometers from the Kan
city. Drive on the highway 323 , when you reach Saiyok-ThongPhapume
section, just trun left and drive further for about 3 kilometers.
When you reach there, start from the tourist information office,
who will provide you the map and other information about the
park. Now, you can just set off for the waterfall.
Highlights
Sometimes it is called Khao Chone watefall. The water originates
from high mountain range, streams down to the waterfall and
flows out to the Kwae Noi river. You can appreciate the view
both from the boat or just from the small rest house overlooking
the waterfall.
Just a little bit southward from the Saiyok Yai waterfall, this
is a smaller waterfall that flows out to the Kwai Noi river
as well. Near both waterfalls will be a bridge that crosses
the river, you can walk across it and look back to the waterfall
to have some impressive views.
This is one of the favorite programs you should not miss: rafting
along the Kwai Noi river to admire the surrounding natural atmosphere.
Several rafting service centers can be found around there, and
you can even stay overnight on board. Even better, most of the
rafts are equipped with kitchen utensils and some even provide
you with a cook service, so all you have to do is preparing
the fresh food, and just eat.
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The Saiyok Yai river can be reached
closely by the long tail boat and rafting service. |
In order to appreciate the scenery
along the river, the two activities are most popular. |
The trail will bring you through the Saiyok cave, Pra cave,
and Saiyok camp which used to be Japanese and captives concentration
camps in old days. The rtrail is not very long, but you can
just drive further to the Tham DaoDeung, the cave on the Aru
mountain. To go there, drive northwestward from the National
Park office on highway 323. Turn left at the kilometer marker
84 for about another kilometer. Inside this roomy cave, you
will be fascinated with the stalactite and stalagmite.
The Saiyok National Park also provides you with resting place,
tenting lawn, and restaurant.
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INFORMATION
