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Kanchanaburi is an archaic city that has existed through several eras, as follows.

Pre-historical Era This era began with the existence of human beings. With mountainous geographic characteristics, with rivers, forests and natural fauna, this area has been suitable for the settlement of human beings since the pre-historical era. A great number of archaeological objects have been sound, such as stone tools, tools from Neolithic Age, tools from Metal Age, human skeletons, pottery, body accessories, and coloured painting on walls of caves and coffins in caves around cliffs, along Khwae Noi River and Khwae Yai River, and around Mae Klong River Basin.

Dvaravati Era This era started when Indian merchants came into this Suvarnabhumi Region (the Golden Land) to do business and to disseminate Buddhism in 11th - 16th Buddhist Centuries. Evidences of Gupta Indian Art works from Dvaravati Era were found along Khwae Noi River and Khwae Yai River and at Wang Patho Village, Ban Tha Wi Village, Ban Wang Takhian Village and Phong Tuek Village, along Mae Klong River. Examples of antiquities and archaic places that have been discovered are ruins of pagodas and chanting halls, Buddha images, amulets, boundary stones, stone bells, body accessories, pottery and a Roman alloy lamp from around B.E. 600, which is considered as the oldest archaic object found in Thailand.

Era of Khmer Influences The oldest document that mentions Kanchanaburi Province was the Phongsawadan Nuea (the Chronicle of the North), which mentioned, "Kanchanaburi is the city of Phaya Kong (King Kong), the father of Phaya Phan. It was a significant city of U Thong or Suvarnabhumi Region. It was believed to be established by Phaya Kong in A.D. 807." Later, the Khmer Kingdom expanded its influence by disseminating Mahayana Buddhism in Kanchanaburi, the evidences of which include Mueang Sing Pavilion, Mueang Khrut Pavilion and Khuean Klon Do Pavilion. Later, the Khmer influence reclined and finally dissolved.

Ayutthaya Era In Ayutthaya Era, Kanchanaburi, which was a widely known city, became an important frontline city because it is adjacent to Burma (Myanmar) and has passes (Dan Pha Cheri Sam Ong (Three Pagoda Pass) and Bongty Pass) that led to battle fields. Thus, Kanchanaburi was a strategically essential city. There are many places, such as Phra Cheri Sam Ong Pass, Sam Sop, Tha Din Daeng, Phu Takhrai and other frontline towns, the names of which have been mentioned in chronicles. The older Kanchanaburi City was located in a valley by Kwai Yai River with Lam Taphoen in the northern side and the rear side adjacent to Khao Chon Kai (Chon Kai Hill), which is 14 kilometers away from the current location, and is called by the locals as the 'Old Kanchanaburi City'. The layout of this old city is in the rectangular shape the size of which is 170 x 355 sq.m. At each corner of this old city, there is a fort built from clay and rocks piled up in layers. The characteristics of this old city is strategically advantageous because the hills and valleys could force enemies that came through Phra Cheri Sam Ong Pass to attack Suphan Buri and Ayutthaya to attack Kanchanaburi first. If enemies tried to avoid Kanchanaburi, it might encounter flank attacks from Kanchanaburi troops. Even nowadays, there are still ruins of city wall, forts, pagodas, stupas and 7 abandoned temples. Throughout Ayutthaya Era, Ayutthaya had had 24 wars with Burma and Kanchanaburi had been the battlefield in many always. Furthermore, Kanchanaburi is the passage for Burmese troop to go to attack Ayutthaya at the Ultimate Fall of Ayutthaya in A.D. 1767 until a new Capital had to be established.

Thonburi Era After the Fall of Ayutthaya, Thonburi was founded as the new capital by King Thonburi. Throughout this era, there had been 10 wars between Thonburi and Burma; and Kanchanaburi had been the battlefield in many wars such as the war at Bang Kung, and the war at Bang Kaeo the battlefield in which was around Ban Nong Khao Village.

Ratanakosin Era After the capital of Thailand had been moved from Thonburi to Bangkok for 3 years, there was a Great War or Song Khram Kao Thap (the 9 Troop-War), but Thailand could resist the Burmese troops and fought back until the Burmese troops fled at Lat Ya Battlefield.

In the year after, there were battled at Sam Sop and Tha Din Daeng, and the attack against Dawei. After that, there were petty fights and battle news because Burma turned to fight England and became colonized. Eventually, the war between Burma and Thailand ended for good in the early Ratanakosin Era.

During the 9 Troop-War, Burma used different strategy. Burma troops went southward in order to attack Ratanakosin and need send fleets southwards from Sangkhlaburi, along Khwae Noi River through Sai Yok District to Pak Phraek which is the meeting point of the two rivers. Hence, after the 9 Troop-War was over, the base of the troops was moved from Kanchanaburi City at Lat Ya to Pak Phraek which is the spot where two rivers run to each other and become Mae Klong River. King Rama V explained, "...as a matter of fact, the features of Pak Phraek were better than those of Khao Chon Kai because it was the meeting point of the two rivers and the terrain elevation was high enough for the troops to see the Khwae Noi River from afar; and the fort was situated at the center of the waterway. However, as for the new Kanchanaburi City, the land was just leveled and the wall was made from wood pillars."

In the reign of King Rama II, when His Royal Highness Krommamuen Jetsadabodin led the troop to hinder Burmese troops, the city wall was built from wood pillars. In A.D. 1831, His Majesty King Rama II ordered the permanent city wall and forts to be built. However, His Majesty the King's major purpose was to facilitate the trade with Ratchaburi City.

The aforementioned idea was reflected through one part of His Majesty's literal work entitled 'Sadet Praphat Sai Yok (Sai Yok Trip)', "...Pak Phraek Town is for trade but Khao Chon Kai (Khao Cbon Kai) is a big hill with two ravines which trouble customers who travel around. Thus, a new city is founded at Pak Phraek in order to facilitate the trade and travel with Ratchaburi City. This new city is 5 sen (400 meters) wide and 18 wa (72 meters) long, and has a fort at each of the four corners, with the central fort at the front of the city. In the southwestern side of the city, there iOS a big fort on a small elevated land. At the rear of the city, there is a small fort that is in line with the big fort..." According to a stone inscription, the newly built Kanchanaburi City was ruled by Phraya Ratchawarin, the Minister of Interior, promoted to Phraya Prasitthisongkhramramphakdisiphisetprathetnikhompriroomrachaisawan Phraya Kanchanaburi, who reported to His Majesty the King that Kanchanaburi was vulnerable to the colonization by English, Burmese or Mon Kingdom; thus, the outer wall of the city should be built. Nowadays, the city wall has been destroyed by the nature and authorities in order that the land could be used for another purpose. There are just some parts of the city wall and the city gate.