Hin Dat Hot Springs

The springs sit in forest beside the Kwai Noi valley and are said to have been located by Japanese engineers during the construction of the Burma Railway in the Second World War, when the labour camps were strung along this route - the local name Onsen reflects that. Two shallow stone-lined pools hold the mineral water at somewhere around forty to forty-five degrees, and immediately beside them runs a cold forest stream, so the standard use is to alternate between the two. It is a local bathing place rather than a spa: Thai families and workers use it, there are basic changing facilities and food stalls, and modest dress in the water is expected - swimwear covering the body rather than bikinis, which is worth knowing before arriving. It is busy at weekends. The pools are cleaned periodically and the water is untreated, so keeping the head above the surface is the sensible precaution with any natural thermal water.

What you actually see

• The two thermal pools - stone-lined, around forty to forty-five degrees.
• The cold stream - running immediately alongside for the contrast.
• The wartime origin - located during Burma Railway construction.
• The local use - a bathing place for Thai families rather than a spa.

When to go

November to February, when cooler air makes the hot water worthwhile. Weekdays are quieter; weekends fill the pools. Early morning is when locals use it.

Honest expectations

Modest swimwear is expected - this is a local bathing spot, not a resort pool. Facilities are basic. Untreated natural water; keep your head out. Crowded at weekends and holidays.

Nearby

Thong Pha Phum is north; Sai Yok and Hellfire Pass are south along the valley.