Be Traveler: Memories of Sangkhlaburi

Hello, traveler.

Sangkhlaburi: A Gateway to Burmese Culture

Nestled in the mountainous region of Kanchanaburi, Sangkhlaburi sits on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, approximately 215 kilometers from the provincial capital. This remote town, accessible by a five-hour drive from Bangkok, boasts the serene Songkalia River, originating in Myanmar and serving as a vital lifeline for communities on both sides of the border. The river's name, derived from the Mon language, translates to "the other side," aptly reflecting its role as a bridge between cultures.

Divided by the Songkalia River, one side is the district town, where the majority of the population are Thai speakers. The other side is a village of Mon people who have settled there for centuries. This makes the town a place of diverse beauty, with different ethnicities and cultures living together, including Mon, Karen, Thai, Lao, and Burmese. The district town itself is located at a place called "Sam Prasop," where three streams, the Songkalia Stream, the Bikli Stream, and the Rantee Stream, converge to form the Mae Klong River.

The first thing that comes to mind when visiting this place is the **Mon Bridge**, also known as the "Uttumano Memorial Wooden Bridge." It is the longest wooden bridge in the country, stretching approximately 1 kilometer. Venerable Father Uthama initiated its construction to facilitate travel and interaction between Thai, Karen, and Mon people. The bridge serves as a symbol of unity among these three groups. Visitors to the area are drawn to stroll across the bridge, admire the sunrise in the morning, and observe the daily lives of Thai and Mon people crossing paths.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The first thing we did in the morning was to dress in traditional Mon attire and participate in the alms offering ceremony for the monks from the Mon village at around 6:30 am. We were eager to participate in this cultural activity.

This wooden bridge, known as the Mon Bridge, offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the Mon people who reside along its banks. From their daily routines and livelihoods to the bustling tourist activities, the bridge serves as a vibrant stage showcasing the community's rich culture and traditions.

The bridge was also bustling with color, with the most memorable sight being the children who had painted their faces with vibrant and cheerful thanaka, a traditional cosmetic paste. These friendly children were especially eager to pose for photographs, particularly a young girl named Pimjai.

Walking across the bridge, especially during the late afternoon when the sun is setting and the wind is calm, you will see young children jumping into the water to show off their skills. Tourists who are kind-hearted can give them some pocket money in exchange for watching their jumps.

A must-do activity in Sangkhlaburi is taking a boat trip to the submerged temple in the underwater city. You can find boats for rent individually or charter a whole boat for your group of friends. You can contact the boat operators at the Mon Bridge. Alternatively, if you are staying at Phanthanee Resort, they offer a boat service that will pick you up at the resort's pier, which is very convenient.

Along the way, from the Songkhla River, one can see the **Phra Chedi Phutthakaya**, a significant religious site alongside Wat Wang Wiwekaram. This large golden-yellow stupa stands majestically on a hill near the riverbank.

The **submerged temple**, also known as Wat Wang Wiwekaram, is an ancient ruin submerged underwater. It is the site of the legend of the origin of Wat Luang Pho Uttama, and many people call it the "underwater city." Tourists who visit during the dry season, from around March to June, can walk into the old church. However, we visited during the winter season, from around September to January, and could only see parts of the church that were above water.

<strong><span class="bold">Old Wat Somdet</span></strong>

The abandoned ubosot of Wat Somdej Kao, located on a hilltop opposite the town of Ba Dan, was left behind when the town of Sangkhla Buri was relocated due to the construction of the Khaem Laem Dam (now known as the Vajiralongkorn Dam). The ubosot, which is not submerged underwater, houses a well-preserved main Buddha statue. To reach the ubosot, visitors must take a boat to the pier and then climb a flight of stairs.

<span class="bold">Next, we disembarked and boarded a vehicle to travel to <strong>Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Luang Pho Uttama's Temple)</strong>.</span> This temple houses a beautiful marble Buddha statue and was the residence of Luang Pho Uttama, a revered monk among both Thai and Mon people. The temple is situated on a hill in an area known as Sam Prasop, where three rivers converge: the Songkalia, the Biekli, and the Rantee.</p>

<span class="bold"><strong>The Mahabodhi Stupa</strong> </span>is a large stupa adorned with a 400-baht gold umbrella at its peak. It houses the relics of the Buddha, which were brought from Sri Lanka by Luang Pho Uttama. Luang Pho Uttama had the stupa built as a replica to enshrine the relics, including a fragment of the Buddha's right thumb bone, which is the size of a grain of rice. The Mahabodhi Stupa has a square base.</p>

Sangkhlaburi Walking Street is held every Saturday evening and during festival holidays. It is located on the side street of Sri Daeng Hotel, near Sangkhlaburi Municipal Fresh Market, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. There are both food and local products. In particular, there are performances by local Sangkhlaburi students dressed in traditional costumes, adding color to the bustling walking street.

And the highlight here is Burmese hotpot...

Souvenirs are also diverse...

And this is the charm of Sangkhlaburi.

Thank you for following.

Become a traveler.