Sangkhlaburi Trip: Mon Bridge & Underwater Temples

During our trip to Kanchanaburi, we ventured further west to Sangkhlaburi, a village steeped in rich Mon traditions and situated near the Myanmar border.

In 3 days 2 nights, we explored Sangkhlaburi’s iconic landmarks: the famous Mon Bridge, Thailand’s longest wooden bridge; the Three Pagoda Pass (a Myanmar border crossing) and a mystical, half-submerged underwater temple.

About Sangkhlaburi

Located about 225 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi and just 24 kilometers from the Burmese border, Sangkhlaburi is nestled on the low hills surrounding Vajiralongkorn Lake. The lake itself is a reservoir created by the construction of a dam in 1982, which submerged the original Sangkhlaburi village beneath its waters.

How to get to Sangkhlaburi

Public Transport

• Local Bus from Kanchanaburi: Departing at 8:40 am, 10:20 am, and 12:00 pm, this option costs 130 baht and takes about five hours.
• Private Minivans from Kanchanaburi: Operating hourly from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, these cost 180 baht and are faster than the bus, although they fill up fast.
• Direct Bus from Bangkok to Sangkhlaburi: The first bus leaves Mo Chit bus station around 5 AM and travels via Kanchanaburi, taking 7-8 hours.

Driving
If you're up for a road trip, a direct drive from Bangkok to Sangkhlaburi takes approximately 5-6 hours.

Recommendation
We combined our visit to Sangkhlaburi with a stay in Kanchanaburi, mid-way between Bangkok and Sangkhlaburi. After exploring Kanchanaburi’s attractions like Erawan Waterfall, we took the private minivan to Sangkhlaburi.

Day 1: Mon Bridge

We arrived in Sangkhlaburi mid-afternoon, checked into our homestay, and rented a motorbike to get around the area. Our first destination was the Mon Bridge.

At 400 meters, Mon Bridge (Saphan Mon) is Thailand’s longest wooden bridge, originally built in the mid-80s. Despite being destroyed in July 2013, it was fully repaired and stands sturdy today. As we walked across the bridge, I felt it was surprisingly stable despite its age and the foot traffic.

On the other side, we discovered a vibrant night market filled with local stalls offering Mon clothing, souvenirs, and delicious street food, which we took back to our homestay for dinner.

Day 2: Three Pagoda Pass

After enjoying a Thai breakfast of khao tom (rice in pork broth with minced pork balls), we rode our motorbike to the Three Pagoda Pass 15km away, a 20-30 minute journey.

If you don't have a motorbike, public transport options include local pickups that leave hourly from the bus station at about 50 baht for the same duration.

The Three Pagodas Pass (Daan Chedi Sam Ong) marks the Thai-Myanmar border and is accessible to foreigners from the Thai side. The area features three small chedi and a sign showing that you're close to Myanmar.

There's also lively market selling Burmese goods such as carved wood, textiles, and food.

Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake—leaving my passport behind at our homestay—preventing us from crossing into the Myanmar border town.

To be frank, the Three Pagoda Pass didn't have much to see aside from the market and I felt it was overrated as a destination.

Lunch: Riverside raft restaurant

On our return, we stopped at Krua Mue Thong, where we dined on a bamboo hut along the Songaria Creek.

Seated in bamboo huts by the water, we enjoyed Isan cuisine like papaya salad while watching children play in the stream. Since we didn’t bring swimsuits, we just cooled off by dipping our feet in the cool stream.

Day 2 Afternoon: Mon Temples

Early Afternoon: Wat Wang Wiwekaram
Post-lunch, we rode to Wat Wang Wiwekaram, one of Sangkhlaburi's iconic temple, which showcases Mon-style architecture.

If you’re captivated by history and design, this peaceful spot is a must-see. You can easily distinguish Mon architecture from Thai styles by their distinct pagoda shapes and decorations.

Mid-Afternoon: Chedi Puttha Khaya
Next, we visited Chedi Puttha Khaya. At first glance, the temple seemed underwhelming and simplistic, but as we approached, the golden chedi—which was adorned with several kilos of gold—took my breath away.

It was designed in the style of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, marking the site of Buddha's enlightenment.

The entrance of the temple is flanked by two large Singha statues.

Upon getting closer, the golden stupa amazed me when I looked up as I felt the tower seemed to stretch towards the sky.

Day 2: Underwater Temples

We rode back to Mon Bridge for our underwater temple boat tour.

While we waited, we took pictures along the bridge in the sunset, and Kwang attempted a sitting pose, only to be swarmed by two adorable kids peddling their trinkets.

Finally, the boat ride started, and we shared it with three other travelers. We paid 500 baht.

Wat Saam Prasob (Sunken Temple)
Our first sighting of the underwear temples was Wat Saam Prasob, also known as the Sunken Temple, is the last remnant of the old town, which was submerged when the Khao Laem Reservoir was created.

Since we came during high tide, we could only catch the top part of the temple that rises from the depths—a scene far more mystical than what pictures online depict.

Wat Somdet (Abandoned Temple)
The boat also took us to Wat Somdet, an unfinished temple that carries its own charm, abandoned yet preserved by nature. As we explored this hidden gem, covered partially by vines and roots, I felt like an explorer uncovering secrets long forgotten. Visitors believe that stacking stones to nine pieces will draw blessings, and I couldn’t resist leaving my humble contribution in the hopes of some good karma.

This boat ride, with its history and unique visuals, was the highlight of our entire Sangkhlaburi trip!

Afterwards, we had a Mookata (Thai BBQ) at our homestay. I also had Bua Loy Kai Wan (Glutinous rice balls in coconut milk with sweet poached egg).

Day 3: Giving Alms on Mon Bridge

Morning: Thad Bat on Mon Bridge
On our final day, we woke early to partake in Thad Bat, the revered Mon ritual of giving alms to monks. Each morning around 6 AM, monks from the temple stroll across Mon Bridge, collecting offerings from the community.

Rather than simply observing like other tourists, we decided to participate in the ritual as well. We donned traditional Mon attire and had Tanaka face paint applied to our faces, which was a mark of respect for the monks.

We stood in a line along the market, and a parade of orange-robed monks walked past us as we offered a plate of food and flowers to them. Although I'm not a local, I still felt participating in this old ritual was a small but interesting way to experience the local way of life here.

Afternoon: Departure
After immersing ourselves in the Mon culture and enjoying our last moments in this village, we returned to our homestay, packed up, and caught a van back to Bangkok.

Practical tips

• Best Time to Visit: Plan your trip from November to February when temperatures are cooler and the weather is pleasant for exploration.
• Budget Breakdown:
  • Accommodation: 500 baht/night
  • Transport: 180 baht (minivan), 500 baht (boat tour)
  • Meals: 50-150 baht per meal (very affordable)
• Cultural Etiquette: Be respectful towards the Mon community by dressing modestly and observing local customs.

Overall thoughts

Looking back on our trip in Sangkhlaburi, it was one of my favourite trip in the whole of Thailand. From the Mon traditions to the unique temples with Burmese architecture, it’s a place that deserves to be on every Kanchanaburi itinerary.

Although the journey from Bangkok to this town is quite long and can seem discouraging, if you stack it with a Kanchanaburi visit, the journey might feel shorter.

If you’ve been, I’d love to hear your stories. And if you’re planning a trip here, don’t hesitate to ask me any questions in the comments below!