Tha Khanun
ท่าขนุน | |
---|---|
Town | |
Coordinates: 14°44′18″N 98°37′55″E / 14.7382°N 98.6320°E | |
Country | Thailand |
Province | Kanchanaburi Province |
Population (2014)
[1] | |
• Total | 14,141 |
Time zone | UTC+7 ( ICT) |
Tha Khanun ( Thai: ท่าขนุน) is a town and subdistrict ( tambon) of Thong Pha Phum district of the Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. It is named after the Jackfruit tree, and is located on the Khwae Noi River. [2] Lam Khlong Ngu National Park and Wat Tha Khanun , a large Buddhist temple, are located near the town.
Tha Khanun was a river harbour town on the Khwae Noi River. In 1786, Rama I landed his troops in Tha Khanun from Bangkok to fight the Burmese–Siamese War. [2] During the 20th century, an important part of the economy was wolfram mining in the nearby mountains. [3] Before the construction of roads, ore was transported by elephants from the mines to the harbour of Tha Khanun, and shipped by boat to Kanchanaburi. [4]
During World War II, it was the location of three prisoner of war camps along the Burma Railway, and was described as a large town with shops, a police station, and many fruit trees. [3] [5] Lam Khlong Ngu National Park is located in the subdistrict and is known for its caves. [6] In 1986, the Vajiralongkorn Dam was constructed on the Khwae Noi River near the town. [7]
Wat Tha Khanun is a large Buddhist temple with a golden stupa. It is located on top of a mountain overlooking the town and the river. The temple can be reached via a 285 step staircase from the south side of the mountain. [8]
Camp Takanun were three Japanese prisoner of war camps constructed during World War II. The first prisoners arrived in October 1942. [5] The camps were reasonable at first, however there was a cholera outbreak in Camp 206 [3] which caused 180 deaths in one month. [5] While cholera ravaged the prisoners of war, thousands of conscripted Asian workers were brought into Takanun. [3] The camps were abandoned in March 1944. [5]