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Mon Bridge (Sapan Mon)…….The 400m Mon Bridge is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and it was built for comfortable transportation of people living in Sangkhlaburi and the Mon Village of Wangka on the opposite side of the Khao Laem Reservoir. Nowadays the bridge is closed for vehicles but you can still walk over the wooden bridge. The bridge is a popular place to see an unforgettable sunset or sunrise at the dam or even swim in the waters. Sadly on the night of 28 July after a storm the bridge partially collapsed. As monsoon rains continue until October, at least, no repairs will be attempted but as the water level recedes in the dry season the bridge structure is expected to be repaired. A fund has been created to finance the project. Currently the villagers have constructed a floating bridge using bamboo rafts which was completed in August and perfectly functional as at 9 October.
Mon Village…….The Mon Village is an ethnic community on the banks of the Khao Laem Reservoir separated from Sangkhlaburi by the Dam project. Known as Wangka it can be reached via the wooden bridge otherwise it involves a detour of 10 mins drive by road. The village was founded by Luang Phor Uttama in 1949 after he fled Burma with 60 other Mon Families. Well worth a visit to witness an alternative culture and tradition.
Chedi Buddhakhaya …….Chedi Buddhakhaya is a golden chedi part of the temple confines of Wat Wang Wiwekaram. On past the turning to the Mon Village, it is reached by taking a left turn at the T junction. The site of the chedi is appropriate as it overlooks the Khao Laem Reservoir the site of the sunken temple, Wat Saam Prasob, presently completely submerged.
Wat Wang Wiwekaram……. Wat Wang Wiwekaram is located to the right of the T junction, the distance from the chedi about 1 kilometre. The Wat was built by the late Luang Phor Uttama who passed away in 2006. A devout Mon Buddhist the Phra was an inspiration to his people and worked tirelessly to provide them with an education and ensure they were granted Thai citizenship. Since his passing the village has been in mourning. The 7th anniversary of his death takes place on 18 October and already preparations are underway for a festival to mark the event. The Wat itself consists of an ornate viharn which was closed when I visited but the mausoleum was open for those wishing to pay their respects. The extent to which work has been carried out here is testimony to the affection with which the people still regard him.
The Wat is built in a style that represents Thai, Mon and Burmese influence. A few features which may go unnoticed are the use of huge teak tree trunks used as main supports in the mausoleum. There is an unusual tusk from a mammoth on display. A number of these have been discovered in Siberia and this could be an example from an era over 10,000 years ago. In a separate building is a large bronze map of Thailand. It would be appropriate here to make a donation as a mark of respect.
Wat Somdet.......Wat Somdet is situated on a rise above Sangkhlaburi and unmistakable being bisected by the main road running into the town. To the right is housed a number of Buddha images in various styles while to the left is a reclining Buddha, a viharn and ubosot (prayer hall). It is not known exactly the age of this temple as no records seem to exist.


Three Pagodas Pass……The Three Pagodas Pass (Thai: Dan Chedi Sam Ong) is a pass in the Tenasserim Hills on the border between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), at an altitude of 282 metres (925 ft) above sea level. The pass links the town of Sangkhla Buri in the north of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, to the town of Payathonsu in the south of Kayin State, Myanmar.
The pass has long been used as a trading route between India and Southeast Asia and it was through this region that the Burmese invading Army passed on route to the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767. More recently here the Japanese used POWs as forced labour to construct the Burma-Thai railway in 1942.
The principal feature is the row of three small chedis at the roundabout near the border checkpoint. It is thought that these represent peace in an otherwise troubled past. A small section of railway track is displayed evidence that the death railway passed through here and nearby is a shrine to peace between Thailand and Japan constructed in 2002. There is a small Burmese market with souvenir shops and the all too evident retail of counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes. Otherwise there is little here except for a few restaurants.
Keaw Savan Bandan Cave……. Keaw Savan Bandan Cave is further described in my log. The housed Buddha image is situated against the rock face while to the left is a stairway to the cave entrance in front of which is another housed Buddha image; this one standing. The ubosot is to the right together with the monk’s quarters. The cave (tham) is reached from the main highway 323, a kilometer away.
Ta Khian Thong Waterfall…….This waterfall is one of a number listed in Kanchanaburi Province. To reach it, you must walk through the jungle and cross rivers, sometimes by swimming (at least in the rainy season). Understandably this time of year it is unmanned. It’s located 7 kilometres from highway 323.
Headwaters of Songkalia River…….While the Khao Laem Reservoir can hardly be called a river today the waters around Sangkhlaburi are in the valley of the Songkalia River. Returning from Three Pagodas Pass the headwaters of this river can be seen as it flows under a concrete road bridge. During my stop here it was clearly a major attraction for children of the village and surrounding area.