Sangkhla Buri (สังขละบุรี) is in northwest Kanchanaburi Province, close to Myanmar. It is close to the northernmost point of the huge Khao Laem Reservoir.
Sangkhla Buri is an idyllic place off the tourist trail, although it is popular with Thais who come for relaxing weekends away or to party in the floating houses.
Away from the main town, across a wonderful rickety wooden bridge, is Wangka (also known as Monside). The village was founded by Luang Phor Uttama in 1949 after he fled Burma with 60 other Mon families. Uttama stayed there until his death in 2006. Alcohol is not permitted to be drunk in public in Wangka and doing so would be hugely disrespectful. Many of the villagers speak Mon as their first language, so don't be surprised if they cannot understand Thai. An easy word to remember is "dangoon" for "thank you".
- Saphan Mon (สะพานมอญ) - The 400 m wooden bridge (other sources claim it's 800 meters long) has been there since the mid 80s. It's the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and was destroyed in July 2013 but fully repaired. There is a small cafe on one end which is a great spot for a drink and a view. Donation boxes at either end help with maintenance for the bridge; donate and you will also receive a great photo in return. Local kids like to jump off the bridge into the lake.
- Wat Saam Prasob (The Sunken Temple) - When the water level of the lake is low (usually after winter) you can hire a boat to take you (or hire a canoe from P Guesthouse to paddle yourself out) to see the Sunken Temple. The sunken wat is the last remaining vestige of the old town flooded for the creation of Khao Laem Reservoir. The top 1-2 m of the temple is in view in Sep.)
- Wat Wang Wiwekaram and Chedi Buddhakhaya - Walk over the bridge to the Mon village, and bear left parallel to the lake. After 2 km the concrete road forks. Left goes to the huge golden chedi, with a small Burmese goods market below it, and right goes to the main Wat Wang Wiwekaram. The wat was built by the late Phara Uttama, who was one of the most important monks in Thailand, and is still highly revered in the Mon community. There is a large, ornate viharn at the main wat, and in another building there are murals depicting stages of the Buddha's last, and previous, lives. You may wish to hire a taxi as it's quite a long walk and it is easy to get lost in Wangka village (although people are happy to point you in the right direction).
Saphan Mon (สะพานมอญ) - The 400 m wooden bridge (other sources claim it's 800 meters long) has been there since the mid 80s. It's the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and was destroyed in July 2013 but fully repaired. There is a small cafe on one end which is a great spot for a drink and a view. Donation boxes at either end help with maintenance for the bridge; donate and you will also receive a great photo in return. Local kids like to jump off the bridge into the lake.
Wat Saam Prasob (The Sunken Temple) - When the water level of the lake is low (usually after winter) you can hire a boat to take you (or hire a canoe from P Guesthouse to paddle yourself out) to see the Sunken Temple. The sunken wat is the last remaining vestige of the old town flooded for the creation of Khao Laem Reservoir. The top 1-2 m of the temple is in view in Sep.)
Wat Wang Wiwekaram and Chedi Buddhakhaya - Walk over the bridge to the Mon village, and bear left parallel to the lake. After 2 km the concrete road forks. Left goes to the huge golden chedi, with a small Burmese goods market below it, and right goes to the main Wat Wang Wiwekaram. The wat was built by the late Phara Uttama, who was one of the most important monks in Thailand, and is still highly revered in the Mon community. There is a large, ornate viharn at the main wat, and in another building there are murals depicting stages of the Buddha's last, and previous, lives. You may wish to hire a taxi as it's quite a long walk and it is easy to get lost in Wangka village (although people are happy to point you in the right direction).
- Visit Three Pagodas Pass and the border market (and, if the border's open, cross over to Payathonzu, on the Myanmar side of the border). The road out to Three Pagodas Pass passes a side road to a waterfall. To reach the waterfall, you must walk through the jungle and cross rivers, sometimes by swimming (at least in the rainy season). There is another side road to Wang Bandan Cave.
- Stroll around town, go for a swim in the lake, relax, enjoy the sunrises and sunsets.
- Join an organised hike into the surrounding jungle.
- Visit Baan Unrak Children's Home for their Wednesday night dinner and yoga show (contact Baan Unrak Bakery for time and directions). Make a generous donation. Volunteer opportunities may be available.
- Franky's Jungle Trekking, +66 87 0590148. Unique jungle trekking experiences in the national parks surrounding Sangkhla Buri. Anything from a 1 day trek to a 6 day 5 night trek to Umphang. No other tourists to be seen visiting traditional remote Karen villages. 600 baht/day.
Join an organised hike into the surrounding jungle.
Visit Baan Unrak Children's Home for their Wednesday night dinner and yoga show (contact Baan Unrak Bakery for time and directions). Make a generous donation. Volunteer opportunities may be available.
Franky's Jungle Trekking, +66 87 0590148. Unique jungle trekking experiences in the national parks surrounding Sangkhla Buri. Anything from a 1 day trek to a 6 day 5 night trek to Umphang. No other tourists to be seen visiting traditional remote Karen villages. 600 baht/day.
- Baan Unrak Weaving. 08:00- 20:00. Quality hand-crafted, ethical clothing & accessories are sold here. Part of the NGO Baan Unrak Children's Village, the weaving and sewing centre provides economic development and job opportunities for single mothers on the border of Myanmar. 100% of the profits go towards supporting the Baan Unrak mission; to provide a loving and stable home for disadvantaged women and children in the community.
- Weaving for Women. Textiles are sold by displaced ethnic refugees at a small shop about 200 m down the hill from the post office. The shop is run by Daisy Dwe, who fled Burma and has settled in Sangkhla Buri to help other refugees. Excellent products for a great cause. These are also sold at the restaurant/internet cafe/bakery signed 'Baan Un Rak' about 150 m past Soi 1 at the bottom of the hill on the main road.
Baan Unrak Weaving. 08:00- 20:00. Quality hand-crafted, ethical clothing & accessories are sold here. Part of the NGO Baan Unrak Children's Village, the weaving and sewing centre provides economic development and job opportunities for single mothers on the border of Myanmar. 100% of the profits go towards supporting the Baan Unrak mission; to provide a loving and stable home for disadvantaged women and children in the community.
Weaving for Women. Textiles are sold by displaced ethnic refugees at a small shop about 200 m down the hill from the post office. The shop is run by Daisy Dwe, who fled Burma and has settled in Sangkhla Buri to help other refugees. Excellent products for a great cause. These are also sold at the restaurant/internet cafe/bakery signed 'Baan Un Rak' about 150 m past Soi 1 at the bottom of the hill on the main road.
- Jimmy's House - Run by "Big Jimmy", opposite the temple on the Thai side of the bridge 50 m further on than Burmese Inn. Good selection of delicious Western, Burmese, & Thai food. Also sells & trades books. A great source of local information.
- Town market - if you wake up early enough, catch the early morning stalls selling Thai and Burmese breakfast snacks. At midday the market winds down but there are plenty of stalls selling cheap and tasty Thai food at the top of the hill, opposite the bus station, providing cheap food most days, but reportedly not open at weekends.
- Toy's Restaurant-affordable Thai food with a friendly owner "Aoom" (prices start from 25 baht.)
Jimmy's House - Run by "Big Jimmy", opposite the temple on the Thai side of the bridge 50 m further on than Burmese Inn. Good selection of delicious Western, Burmese, & Thai food. Also sells & trades books. A great source of local information.
Town market - if you wake up early enough, catch the early morning stalls selling Thai and Burmese breakfast snacks. At midday the market winds down but there are plenty of stalls selling cheap and tasty Thai food at the top of the hill, opposite the bus station, providing cheap food most days, but reportedly not open at weekends.
Toy's Restaurant-affordable Thai food with a friendly owner "Aoom" (prices start from 25 baht.)
You can do as the Thais do and order a bottle of whisky, a bucket of ice and some soda from one of the local restaurants. Beer from the local supermarkets is 42 baht for a large Chang. A selection of wines from Kanchanaburi is available from 260 baht for a bottle, a white and two varieties of red are available.
You can also head to P. Guesthouse to enjoy a farang atmosphere. P Guesthouse is very popular with Bangkok urbanites taking a short break from the city. An exquisite view across the reservoir. Especially recommended for a sunset drink.
- Western Bar (Garden Home) - Approx 700 m from the bus station, down the hill on the right hand side. They have many cocktails and Thai beer. They also offer soft beverages and food. The place is kept very clean and also has a landscaped outside sitting area. This place is new but is already popular with farangs.
Western Bar (Garden Home) - Approx 700 m from the bus station, down the hill on the right hand side. They have many cocktails and Thai beer. They also offer soft beverages and food. The place is kept very clean and also has a landscaped outside sitting area. This place is new but is already popular with farangs.
If you see any dogs in need of medical attention Baan Unrak Thai Animal Sanctuary is based nearby.