Spending a night in Kanchanaburi unlocks a different experience — river floating bungalows, WWII trails, and Erawan waterfall.
Death Railway Bridge, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (museum), Allied War Cemetery — done in half a day; don't skip the museum.
Seven-tiered waterfall in Erawan National Park, 80 km from Kanchanaburi town — turquoise water at each pool, small fish that nibble feet; only reachable if you have a day.
Bamboo floating bungalows on the river — basic but atmospheric; book via guesthouses in Kanchanaburi town; about 400–800 THB/night.
An 18km section of the Death Railway cut through solid rock by Allied POWs — the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum (free, Australian-maintained) is excellent.
