Readme before you journey
The allure of diverse cultures and the charm of a unique blend of traditions beckon travelers to experience the wonders of Sangkhlaburi. Nestled on the border of Myanmar, this enchanting district lies approximately 200 kilometers from Kanchanaburi and 300 kilometers from Bangkok. A journey from the bustling metropolis takes roughly 5-6 hours, offering a respite from the urban clamor. With a yearning to explore Sangkhlaburi for quite some time, the opportunity finally presented itself. Embarking on a 2-day, 1-night adventure, let's delve into the captivating experiences that await in this serene haven.
Transportation
Take a van from Mo Chit to Kanchanaburi.
Then transfer to another van from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhla Buri.
We left early in the morning at 5:30 AM and arrived in Kanchanaburi around 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
We then took a van from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhla Buri, arriving around noon.
After that, we went to our accommodation to drop off our belongings and then went out to find something to eat near the Mon Bridge.
The U Thamma Nu Memorial Bridge, also known as the Mon Bridge, is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand, stretching 850 meters.
The Mon Bridge is a highlight and charm of Sangkhla Buri District.
It is a bridge that crosses the Songkalia River between Sangkhla and the Mon village.
If you want to know the history of the Mon Bridge, go to the Mon Bridge and you will surely know the real thing.
Because there will be young people explaining the history of the Mon Bridge to you all the way.
Before we could start our adventure, we needed to refuel.
We took a motorbike taxi from our accommodation to the Mon Bridge and walked across to eat "khanom jeen" at Auntie Yin's.
After that, we hired a motorbike taxi to continue our journey to the temple.
Wat Wang Wiwekaram, also known as Wat Luang Pu Uttama by the Mon people, is a newly established temple on the site of an older one.
The original temple was flooded due to the construction of a dam, prompting the Mon people to relocate and rebuild on the current site.
The temple was built by Luang Pu Uttama in collaboration with displaced villagers, including Karen and Mon people.
Located near the Thai-Burmese border on a hilltop known as Sam Prasop, the temple sits at the confluence of three rivers: the Songkalia, the Biekli, and the Rantee.
The surrounding area of the temple features various photographs of local residents, showcasing the unique identity of the people who live here.
Next, the **Mahabodhi Pagoda**, a gleaming golden pagoda, stands at the entrance with two Mon-style lions.
It is considered a must-visit pilgrimage site in Sangkhlaburi.
The top of the pagoda enshrines the relics of the Buddha, brought by Luang Pu Uttama from Sri Lanka.
After a light drizzle, we waited for the rain to stop before taking a boat ride to see the temple.
We happened to meet someone who was sharing a boat ride to visit the underwater temple, so we joined them.
There are two options: 300 baht for one temple or 500 baht for three temples. Each boat can accommodate up to 6 people.
The first temple, known as Wat Ban Kao or Wat Wang Wiwekarama, was originally a Mon temple and the first temple built by Luang Pho Uttama with the Mon community.
Before the flood, this temple was accessible on foot. However, during the rainy season, the water level rises and submerges the temple.
Inside the church walls.
Next, we visited Wat Somdet, a Thai temple. To reach the temple, we had to climb a short flight of stairs. The sign said there were 60 steps, but we counted 65.
A short walk uphill will lead you to the ordination hall and Buddha statues for worship.
The final temple, Wat Si Suwan, is a Karen temple submerged in water.
The boat driver mentioned that if the water level drops slightly, the gate will emerge and it might be possible to walk.
After taking a boat tour of the underwater temple, we took a walk on the Mon Bridge in the late afternoon. There were children swimming and jumping in the water, and some came to offer us powder.
The children here are friendly to all visitors and are happy to provide helpful advice.
Those who travel alone are guaranteed not to be lonely.
While waiting for the evening market to set up, we took a motorbike taxi to Kaf Kafe, a charming little coffee shop. The shop boasts a collection of adorable self-published books, and behind it lies Haigu Guesthouse, a minimalist Japanese-style accommodation.
As evening falls, the market comes alive with vendors setting up their stalls, coinciding with the vibrant Sangkhla Walking Street. During the rainy season, the selection of goods may be more limited compared to the cooler winter months.
A visit to Sangkhla is incomplete without indulging in the delectable Burmese pork skewers, a local delicacy. Priced at just one baht per skewer, these succulent treats are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Grab a bowl of flavorful broth and two dipping sauces to enhance your culinary experience.
The exceptional dipping sauces are a true highlight, leaving you wanting more until the very last drop.
This is Burmese-style hotpot. I had it the day after I crossed the border to visit.
On the second day, we woke up early to offer alms to the Mon people.
The accommodation will send us there and pick us up.
If anyone wants to come out earlier, you can. The morning air is cool and comfortable.
There are many Mon restaurants open in the morning, serving porridge, rice noodles, tea, coffee, or you can eat from your accommodation.
The monks will be from nearby temples. In the mornings, there will be a fair number of tourists waiting to offer alms.
The offerings for the monks can be purchased at your accommodation for 100 baht per set. They also offer Mon traditional clothing for rent. If you choose not to rent the clothing, the offerings will cost 59 baht per set. There are also vendors selling offerings at the Mon Bridge. The prices are similar everywhere, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs.
The beautiful lady who guides the offering of alms to the monks here.
Before or after offering food to the monks, come and try some local breakfast.
The "Nang Yong" porridge shop is located on the Mon side of the bridge. Our favorite porridge is the one with lots of pork. Even the regular size is very generous.
We paired it with hot Ovaltine and crispy noodles, which are available in unlimited quantities.
Both in the morning and evening, there are students who come to apply powder.
It is one of the students' income, which is used as pocket money and scholarship after school hours.
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Accommodation and Morning Tour in Myanmar
After returning to our accommodation, we prepared for a tour of Myanmar. We stayed at B.homestay, which offered both ensuite and shared bathroom options. The shared bathrooms were located outside the rooms, specific to each room. These were fan-cooled rooms with prices starting from 300 baht. As a solo traveler, I opted for a single room at 300 baht. The room was comfortable and offered complimentary snacks and drinks around the clock, including cookies, fresh fruit from the garden, and Wi-Fi access.
The accommodation offered two tour options for Myanmar, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We chose the morning tour to allow for travel back to Bangkok in the afternoon. The morning tour ran from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
All documents will be handled by our uncle at the accommodation. The tour fee for Burma is 350 baht.
In total, we will visit the following places:
Burmese market, Hundred Pillar Temple, Statue of the Monk, Golden Pagoda Temple, Reclining Buddha Temple,
Don Wai Temple (marble Buddha statue/replica of Thep Thanjai/replica of Kyaiktiyo Pagoda),
Duty free shops on the Burmese side selling souvenirs and snacks.
On the Thai side, there are factory outlets.
If there is enough water, we may also visit the Noppaburi Waterfall and Huay Songkaria.
On the way, our uncle took us to a restaurant for duck noodles before going to the shop. We thought it was delicious.
The soup was rich and flavorful.
Arrival at Three Pagodas Pass
Tour guides are also available at the entrance to sell tours.
The watermelons here are enormous! Just look at how they compare to the crate next to them.
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The Phaya Tong Su Market, a morning market on the Burmese side, is similar to a typical Thai market, offering a variety of food, fresh produce, and everyday necessities.
Souvenir shops sell a wide range of items, including jewelry, silver and gold, clothing, sarongs, cosmetics, thanaka, fresh flowers, and much more.
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Shwe Zedi Pagoda in Bago, Myanmar
Located approximately 5 km from the Three Pagodas Pass in Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province.
The second floor is accessible for worshiping Buddha statues.
The Standing Buddha Images of Wat Tham Sua
Behind the temple, visitors will encounter a remarkable sight: a series of standing Buddha statues stretching towards the mountain. Currently, there are approximately 128 statues, but the abbot's vision is to ultimately have 500.
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The Golden Pagoda: A Majestic Landmark
Located approximately two kilometers from the temple, the Golden Pagoda, also known as Wat Thongkham, stands majestically atop a hill. Its golden stupa, reminiscent of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the charming town of Phaya Tongsu.
The pagoda's design features intricate details and resembles the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to the shared cultural heritage of the region. Devotees can pay homage to Buddha statues enshrined in niches around the pagoda, each corresponding to their birthdate.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Phaya Tong Su
Wat Tong Wai
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Pray to Luang Pho Tan Jai (replica) for blessings.
That concludes the Myanmar side trip, followed by the Thai side before returning to accommodation.
The uncle took us to a factory outlet, which was a factory that produced high-quality leather shoes.
However, we didn't go to the leather shoes section.
We saw durian in front of the shop and stopped there. The durian was freshly cut from the orchard.
It was very tempting to buy some and take it home, but since we were traveling by public transportation, we could only eat it there.
Finally, we arrived at Huai Songkaria, a stream with cool water and many shops nearby.
There are pavilions for dining, but we didn't have time, so we'll have to come back another time.
If you have a car, you can stop by here.
Finally, we returned to our accommodation to pack our belongings and head back to Bangkok, as we didn't want to miss our train.
For those of you traveling by van,
be sure to check the schedule carefully and allow plenty of time, or you might end up spending the night in Sangkhla. :)
Thank you for reading to the end.
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5:10 PM
