The time-honored invasion route from Burma into the central plains of Thailand, and in the reverse direction of course, is via the Three Pagodas Pass and the valley of the Kwae Noi known in English (incorrectly) as the River Kwai. During World War II it was also the course of the Thai Burma Railway. A brief history of the area is given below.
The valley stretches approximately 190km north west from Kanchanaburi to the Burmese border at Three Pagodas Pass, with the mountainous Sai Yok, Erawan and Khao Laem national parks to the east and the 6000 ft Bilauktaung mountain range of Burma to the west.
No longer debatable, the Kwae valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty, of rivers and lakes, mountains and jungle, and has recently become a destination for adventure holidays including trekking and elephant trekking, mountain byking, canoing and rafting. The main center for adventure holidays is Kanchanaburi town.
There are also many resorts along the river, some, such as the Bahn Rim Kwae Jungle House and River Kwai Cabin, in quite spectacular locations.