Remote town on Myanmar border with Thailand's longest wooden bridge, Mon refugee communities, sunken temple in reservoir, and authentic cultural experiences off the tourist trail.
Sangkhlaburi is a small town at the western edge of Kanchanaburi Province, approximately 225 kilometres from Kanchanaburi town and 7 kilometres from the Three Pagodas Pass border crossing with Myanmar. The town sits at the northern end of the Vajiralongkorn Reservoir (also called Khao Laem Reservoir), a large artificial lake created in 1984 when the construction of the Khao Laem Dam flooded the valley and submerged the original Ban Waeng Kha village and several Mon community settlements. The submerged village temple (Wat Sam Prasop) remains partially visible above the water during the dry season — the top of the chedi and some roof structures protrude above the lake surface and are a haunting photographic subject reached by longtail boat. Thailand's longest wooden bridge, the 400-metre Mon Bridge (Saphan Mon), spans a tributary of the reservoir connecting Sangkhlaburi town to the Mon village of Ban Wang Ka, home to thousands of Mon refugees from Myanmar who maintain their language, festivals, and Buddhist traditions across the border. The bridge is handmade from hand-cut timber and is a working pedestrian crossing used daily by villagers. The Mon village has a morning market, a large Buddhist monastery (Wat Wang Wiwekaram), and a community atmosphere distinct from anything found on the mainstream tourist circuit. The Three Pagodas Pass border crossing is open to Thai and some foreign nationals, though cross-border access regulations change periodically.
Highlights
- Submerged temple ruins (Wat Sam Prasop) visible above reservoir surface during dry season — reachable by longtail
- Thailand's longest handmade wooden bridge (400 metres) connecting to the Mon refugee village
- Ban Wang Ka Mon village with its own language, market, and Buddhist monastery
- Three Pagodas Pass — a historically significant Myanmar border crossing with a small market
- Khao Laem Reservoir sunset views over flooded forest remnants and distant Myanmar hills
Tips for visiting
- Hire a longtail boat (around 300 baht) to see the submerged temple during the dry season (January to March)
- Cross the Mon Bridge on foot and spend an hour exploring Ban Wang Ka village market
- Sangkhlaburi is a 4-hour drive or bus journey from Kanchanaburi — plan an overnight stay
- The Three Pagodas Pass market is open daily but border crossing permissions for foreigners vary
- Bring cash; the town has only one ATM and it is not always reliable
When to visit
January to March offers the best reservoir conditions for the submerged temple boat trip. November to February is the most comfortable period for travel in this region. The rainy season (May to October) raises the reservoir level and can make road access to the pass difficult.
Accessibility
Sangkhlaburi town has basic paved roads but the terrain to the reservoir and Mon Bridge involves gentle slopes and some uneven surfaces. The Mon Bridge itself is a narrow wooden pedestrian walkway not suitable for wheelchairs. Longtail boat boarding from the reservoir bank requires stepping into the boat from a low embankment.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors get to Sangkhlaburi?
Buses from Kanchanaburi bus station run several times daily (4 hours, around 150 baht). The journey passes through Erawan and the Three Pagodas Pass highway. Most visitors combine Sangkhlaburi with Kanchanaburi's Death Railway sites on a multi-day trip.
Can visitors cross into Myanmar at Three Pagodas Pass?
Thai nationals can cross freely. Foreign visitors have historically been permitted to cross for a same-day visit to the Myanmar-side market, but this depends on current border regulations which can change without notice. Check with local guesthouses for current status before travelling to the pass.
What is the best time to see the submerged temple at Sangkhlaburi?
The submerged chedi is most visible from December to March when the reservoir level is at its lowest following the dry season. By the monsoon months (July to October), the water level often covers the visible ruins entirely.