UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE


Wednesday, August 6, 2008

KANCHANABURI RENDEZVOUS - History and Wildlife


The Penang 4x4 Adventure Club shall be organizing an overland drive trip to Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Highlight of the trip shall be the famous bridge over the Kwai River and the nearby Wat Pha Luang Tha Bua, better known as the “Tiger Temple”.

Details of the trip are still vague for me (I am not a member of the Club, though I get to be invited on the trips because I have friends in the Club). All I know is that it is going to be a 9 - day affair. Sounds like 4 days in Kanchanburi, 3 days in Cha’am and probably the last night at Nakhon Si Thammarat. Will confirm itinerary later.

This is a trip that caters to all. There are historical sites to visit; i.e. the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum maintained by the Australian Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of honoring all Allied POWS and conscripted Asian labor. Also in the vicinity, the Hellfire Pass itself, 73m by 25m high, the rock cutting was done by hand, all done by POWs. There is a second pass, 450m by 8m.



Accommodation is by the river, which means stuff like canoeing and visits to nearby waterfalls are things one can do to kill time. I think there is a very beautiful waterfall called the Erawan Waterfall. Got to check that out and confirm.

A visit to Thailand would be incomplete without visiting at least a temple. Of course the more well known temple is this area is the “Tiger Temple”, but one should not be deceived by its popular name because apart from tigers, there are also other wildlife found in this temple. There is a lesser known one called Muang Sing, a Khmer temple complex and military outpost.


If the above activities are still inadequate for you, there is also a nearby resort where you can actually have a round of golf!

Will be getting the itinerary soon and shall fill you guys in later. Meanwhile, here are some more pictures from the Internet. Shall post my own after the trip.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

With regards to the notorious Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand - following complaints from tourists and volunteers about tigers being mistreated, international wildlife charity Care for the Wild recently undertook an intensive two year investigation. Their report reveals evidence of illegal wildlife trade, animal cruelty, false conservation claims and visitor safety risks at the Temple.

You can read the report at: http://www.careforthewild.com/projects.asp?detail=true&I_ID=580&mypage=Reports

This issue has widespread media coverage:

CWI's press release - "Illegal tiger trade, cruelty and human health hazards at famous tourist destination":
http://www.careforthewild.com/files/tt_news_release%2020-06-08.pdf

"Black market tigers linked to Thai Temple, Reports says"
National Geographic News, 20 June 2008:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080620-tiger-temple.html

"Thai tiger temple a con job, says wildlife group"
The Straits Times, 21 June 2008:
http://travel.asiaone.com/Travel/News/Story/A1Story20080623-72311.html

"UK wildlife group slams Tiger Temple"
Bangkok Post, 27 June 2008:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/270608_News/27Jun2008_news14.php

"Danish tour operator boycotts well-known Thai tourist attraction"
ScandAsia Denmark, 7 July 2008:
http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?coun_code=dk&news_id=4474

Canada: CBC National News, 9 July 2008:
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2008/200807/20080709.html

"Danes join boycott of tiger temple"
The Nation, 11 July 2008
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/11/politics/politics_30077848.php

"New report says Thai Temple misleads visitors, abuses tigers"
Ethical Traveller, July 2008:
http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/news_story.php?id=1101

"Paradise Lost"
The Star, 15 July 2008
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/7/15/lifefocus/15
35960&sec=lifefocus

Spiegel article (in German):
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/0,1518,562903,00.html

Additionally, Animal Planet TV channel have now dropped their programme on the Temple.