Accessible holidays in Amazing Thailand 1.

In a previous post I have described how to choose your destination and accommodation abroad.
In the next couple of blogspot posts I will talk about several wheelchair accessible houses / resorts/ hotels in Thailand.

We start with a small resort run by a Dutch couple in Kachanaburi.
Kanchanaburi is wellknown for the Bridge over the river Kwai, the graveyard and the Yeath War museum. A lot of soldiers / war prisoners lost their live building the bridge under Japanese command.
There is a small train running over the railway track. Unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible unless you can be lifted, can sit on a wooden bench and your wheelchair is foldable.
Closeby is the Erawan National Park with its dam and water fall, Khmer temples and the Tiger temple. For more information see previous posts.

The resort exists of 10 cottages. It is located along the river. Two of those are adapted for disabled people. One cottage can accommodate 6 people and the second cottage can accommodate 2 people. The resort has a swimmingpool, a restaurant, wifi, books, games, spa, sports, taxi service, etc. The Dutch couple takes very good care of their guests. Twice in a row they are selected Travelers choice on Tripadvisor.
Two remarks:
The path to the big cottage near the river is steep and can be slippery during the wet season.
The resort is situated at the skirts of Kanchanaburi. So you need a car / cab / taxi to get there and to get around.

WheelchairThailand can provide you with more information like price, location, etc. We don't take commission when we refer to this resort. For more information you can write an email to WheelchairThailand@gmail.com

Wheelchair hotels Thailand

June 12, 2007.
Kanchanaburi.

Three years ago we have visited Kanchanaburi for the first time. The first day we took a look at the graveyard, the death railway and the museum. We only didn't want to visit the WOII memorial sights but also the surrounding areas. So we had to look for hotels which could accommodate me in my wheelchair.

In March we had received an email from a Dutch couple. They just opened a small resort with cottages for up to 2-6 persons. Two of these cottages would be wheelchair accessible. So of course I had to check this out. We booked a cottage for us and our house keeper. And what they said was true; the cottage was well adpated for wheelchair users. Only the path to the 6 pax cottage was very steep and long. But the view over the River Kwai and the surrounding lush tropical garden was breath taking.

After a nice breakfast we took Djo's advice and visited Khmer temples and a big dam used to make electricity. The Erawan National Park is closeby but hopeless for wheelchair users. And some people vistit the Hell fire pass. But not wheelchair friendly either. So after this day we went back to Hua Hin.

Wheelchair friendly tours, part five

February 28, 2007.
Kanchanaburi, Bridge over the River Kwai.

When I heard about the movie "Bridge over the River Kwai", I decide I had to see this spot myself. WOII is part of our history. Not only for Dutch people but for all people worldwide.

Kanchanaburi is about 2,5 hours drive from our apartment Tira Tiraa in Hua Hin. So my family and I left early in the morning in a wheelchair accessible minivan with driver. First we went to the Jeath War museum to learn about the area and the prisoners who built the bridge. The second stop was the graveyard of the soldiers who lost their life here during World War II.
Third stop was the new bridge. And last but not least the old bridge and the train. We had lunch next to the bridge. The view from the restaurant was magnificent, the old bridge and the river with floating hotels surrounded by lush vegetation. Sadly enough this train wasn't accessible for wheelchairs. So only my family got on the train and the driver and I went by car to the next train station.

Afterwards we have visited the Tiger temple. More info about this temple and the rescue of tigers in this post.

Access to tigers and wheelchairs

June 11, 2007. Tiger temple.

We don't like to watch animals in a zoo. We never goo to a zoo. But we care about animals in the wild. And we very much like the work of the monks in this temple. They try to prevent the tigers from extinction.

Since the time we have visited this temple a lot has changed. They have a website now where you can read what the monks do to save the tigers.

You can watch tigers, big and small. And like the picture show you can even touch them. Two men lifted Jan to the tiger. They didn't allow him to approach the tiger in his wheelchair. The tigers don't know the sound. So this may easily disturb them. Jan was amazed how big a tiger really is when you are that close to the animal. We have enjoyed our trip to this temple.

Do you want to got too? Here is the address.

"Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Forest Monastery"
(TIGER TEMPLE),
Saiyok District, Kanchanaburi Province, 71150;
THAILAND Tel: 034-531-557, Fax: 034-531-558