Kanchanaburi warnings...

[rockandrollnomad]

Just left Kanch and have a couple of winges that may be of interest to anyone visiting in the future. I spent 900 baht on a organised trip to Erawan falls, Death railway and most importantly to me the Hellfire pass. On arrival at Hellfire pass we were informed it was closed and had been the previous day and also the following day. My bitch is they still kept taking bookings in the full knowledge that it was closed. I won't mention names of travel shop in Kanch as I met many more people who were ripped off in a similar fashion so they are all at it... BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FOOLISH PEOPLE.. Previous night had been drinking in Noi's bar around half a kilometre from bridge. The scam here is you are asked to pay for your beer as you drink by the bar bitch and as you walk out at the end of the night she swears blind to the owner you have not paid. Don't these stupid people realise stunts like this make frequent falang like me just go elsewhere... O.k. thats my gripe over... In general I still love LOS. See you all in Hua Hin next week...

[Bamboo Grove]

I just got back from Kan about half an hour ago. Hellfire Pass Museum was open, business as usual. Did they take you there or did they just tell you it was closed?

[Vital Spark]

Mr. R,

Sorry to hear your tale about Kanchanaburi, it's always been, and always will be, our favourite R&R destination. Did you get any refund on your trip? If not, perhaps you should mention the name of the travel shop - so that future visitors can avoid it.

We've never been ripped off there and have always found the locals to be polite and friendly. You've obviously had a bad experience, but I hope it doesn't put too many people off visiting this lovely place.

We never, however, stay in the centre of the town - we've found a small quiet island down river.

VS

[Norseman]

Just a question; how is it possible to close Hellfire Pass?
The museum yes, but the pass can not be closed!!
It's steep downhill, but in no way closed.

[Bamboo Grove]

They had a warning sign in the museum stating that the stairs may be dangerous to walk but as Norseman put it: It isn't closed and neither was the museum.

[Georgy Porgy]

To access Hellfire Pass Museum you have to cross Army Property (the drive way). This access arrangemnt has always been a bit of a problem to both parties - perhaps the Army has finally decided to cut access on certain days?
Or maybe the Tour that the OP joined was not from a ''preferred'' company? TIT

[rockandrollnomad]

Bamboo, the actual hellfire has been closed for three days of maintenance on the steps. Tuesday, wednesday and thursday. I spoke to the aussie guy at the museum and he told me all of the tour operators had been informed also the TAT the government. As you must be aware the tour people take your money first and then tell you, even today (thursday) it is closed but they are still pulling the same scam.
Norseman there has been a notice on the door of the museum explaining the situation so unless you hike there through the jungle you cannot use the path.
Vital, the operator is called 'good deals' (some sort of irony there also) But since My incident other are telling me the same.
More info on noi's bar. The police here are aware of the situation as two falang were shot within metres of this bar around 18 months ago by a an unknown assailant, they had the same incident in this bar only minutes before. These facts have come from a thai policeman I was talking to later this evening... I am not a green first time tourist to Thailand I have probably learned many of the scams here but these two incidents I did not see coming. I come to Thailand every year for one month normally bringing a reasonable size party with me but I will not be encouraging anyone to come to Kanch again apart from a day trip as even the locals are telling me this place has been going down hill for the last few years...
Soon be in Hua Hin