If you are looking to get off the beaten trail, but like your luxury – a ride on the railway from Kanchanaburi to the end of the line (Nam Tok) and a stay at the Pungwaan resort - is a great combination.
The train ride really is special. I sat by an open window (there are only 3rd class carriages) and watched as the train passed through fields of sugarcane, maize, rice and cassava. At one point we passed a group of buffaloes wallowing in the mud – an intimate glimpse of rural Thailand. The last half hour of the ride, we caught sight of the river and the mountains of Burma – with some really spectacular views.
This is the infamous railway built during WW2 that once ran to Burma. Now the line terminates at Nam Tok, but at Hellfire Pass you can still walk along the old train beds and take in the extreme terrain the prisoners and conscripts had to work in – digging out a line with hand tools. No wonder so many perished!
I got on at Kanchanaburi and it was just under 2 hours to Nam Tok – at a leisurely pace with lots of stops….which was great as I was enjoying the ride. Most tourists got off the train before the end. The hotel had arranged a minibus to meet us and take us to the resort (only about 5 minute drive away). You can travel to Nam Tok all the way from Bangkok (it’s still only 100 Baht for a ticket), but I gather it’s a very slow journey that takes all day and is probably not very picturesque before Kanchanaburi – so only for the hardy!
Pungwaan resort is very green and peaceful – a real change from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. (If you are looking for nightlife, this is probably not the place for you). Rooms and amenities are luxurious, corresponding to its 3 star rating. It is under Thai management, some but not all staff speak English – a chance to practice your Thai!
We stayed there as a family party, and the kids found lots of activities within the hotel grounds (a challenge course, biking, and rafting down the river which flows through the resort). The adult option was to enjoy a massage at the spa and wander round the scenic gardens.
Most tourists to the region seem to stay at Kanchanaburi and take a day excursion to Hellfire Pass Museum, Erawan Falls that includes a short ride on the train – but it makes for a very full day. Staying at Pungwaan Resort gave us a more leisurely option – we could allow a whole day each for Hellfire Pass and Erawan Falls (excursions which the hotel can arrange), enjoying the beautiful grounds (and huge swimming pool) at Pungwaan in between.
- Pung Waan Hotel
