In the limestone hills a mere 120km from Bangkok lies Kanchanaburi, the perfect getaway for those overwhelmed by the capital and looking for a closer and somewhat softer alternative to the trekking and rafting available in Chiang Mai to the north. The local hills are renowned for their temple caves, where you can find altars for Buddha images surrounded by pilgrims' offerings, and you should take a day trip to the beautiful Erawan Falls and the twelfth-century ruins of the Khmer Temple at Prasat Muang Singh. The town itself remains famous for being the site of a Japanese-run WW2 POW camp where Allied prisoners were forced into constructing a rail route to Myanmar over the river Kwai (as immortalised in the famous film) and you can visit several museums, memorials and indeed the 'Bridge Over The River Kwai' itself before completing the experience with a ride on the 'Death Railway' (thankfully a misnomer these days). If you are there at the end of November, the River Kwai Bridge Festival to commemorate the Allied bombing of the bridge in 1944 is not to be missed, although its popularity means those coming on a Kanchanaburi golf holiday should book well ahead.
Golf in the River Kwai Valley has been something of a well kept secret but there are some spectacular Kanchanaburi golf courses for those wishing to veer off the well beaten track. The 36 holes of excellent fairways and breathtaking scenery at Blue Sapphire are a hidden gem while the PGA approved, Jack Nicklaus designed course at Mission Hills, with its split fairways and island greens, will make you want to lie about your handicap.
