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All you need to know to visit Sangkhlaburi
สังขละบุรี
Central Thailand
338 km from Bangkok
Province of Kanchanaburi
Thai prononciation : Sangkaburi
Central Thailand
338 km from Bangkok
Province of Kanchanaburi
Thai prononciation : Sangkaburi
Budget
Recomm. stay
2 jours minimum
Visits
Travel guide to go and visit Sangkhlaburi
Sangkhlaburi is split into two parts, a Thai one and a Mon part called Wangka. The two parts are connected by a wooden bridge. Built by Mons, it is the most famous image of Sangkhlaburi . Many minorities, Burmese essentially settled down in the region. They are tolerated but do not have the same rights as normal Thai citizen and their movements are controlled. You will see many checkpoints and notice that as a westerner, you will never be asked to show your papers because one thing is for sure, you are not Mon.This political context aside, those who love beautiful authentic places and nature, will love to stay in Sangkhlaburi. On Mon side, you will be greeted with smiles and excited or amused hellos in a village where most of the homes are wooden houses. In the morning it is mild, very cool and the whole city and especially the lake are immersed in a thick fog from which emerge the bridge, boats, houseboats... An intriguing but beautiful spectacle that gradually dissipates. One of the most famous attractions in Sangkhlaburi besides the Mon bridge, is the sunken old temple, the only visible witness of the ancient city that was drowned in the water after the construction of a dam. Many boatmen, especially at the bridge, will offer you a ride to go see it. Perched on the mountain Sangkhlaburi area is fresher than most provinces in Thailand and the nights and mornings can be very cool so bring some warm clothes.
Accommodations in Sangkhlaburi
Hotels and guesthouses in Sangkhlaburi are mostly concentrated near the Mon bridge, the most famous attraction in Sangkhlaburi which is 2 km away from the city center. Many have lovely views on the bridge or the lake. Downtown, there are also some accommodation. Contrary to what people might think, the price for a room in Sangkhlaburi is not particularly low, breathtaking views are probably the reason why. There are basic rooms with shared bathroom at P. Guesthosue but for the rest , it will cost you at least 400-500 THB for a room or a bungalow with fan and private bathroom and 800 for the version with air conditioning. Air conditioning is not really useful in Sangkhlaburi since the weather is quite cool here but often AC rooms are the most beautiful and comfortable. Be careful Sangkhlaburi is a very popular with Thai people destination on weekends and public holidays, guesthouses near the bridge are often full at this occasion. It is recommended to book in advance then. During the week, however, it is much easier to find a room without a reservation. Note that there is also some accommodation including homestays across the bridge in the Mon village. We counted three but there may be more .Find accommodation in Sangkhlaburi
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Sangkhlaburi.
Practical information about Sangkhlaburi
Sangkhlaburi is very popular with Thai who spend weekends and holidays there. There are moto- taxis in Sangkhlaburi but many of them only speak a little English. The most interesting ccommdation in Sangkhlaburi for the view and proximity to the Mon bridge are about 2 km from the bus station and the city center, so it is advisable to hire a moto-taxi to get there. From there it is easy to visit everything interesting by walking. From the bridge , all is in a 2 km circle: temples and city center.On Mon side(Wangka), do not be offended if you make the effort to speak Thai and they do not understand you, a lot of people, especially the older generations only speak Mon and only know a few words of Thai.
There are no ATM near the lake, the only two ATMs are in town opposite the market.
In the dry season every Saturday in town, in front of the hospital, Walking Street is held. There you can shop and eat on the go for cheap. It starts around 6 pm.
How to go to Sangkhlaburi ?
From Bangkok, at Mochit bus terminal, there are few buses going to Sangkhlaburi. The public bus company Transport Co LTD, offers two buses in the morning including one departing at 9.30 am. The trip takes 6-7 hours. Otherwise, you will have to go to Kanchanaburi. From there, local bus 8203 goes to Sangkhlaburi with a long stop in Thong Pha Phum. It leaves every 40 minutes and the price is 130 THB for a 4:30 drive. There are also minivans who regularly commute Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi in about 3 hours.Be careful Sangkhlaburi is very popular with Thai people on weekend and public holidays. If from Kanchanburi you will not have trouble finding a place in a the bus or in a minivan, from Bangkok, if possible, buy your ticket in advance.
Festivals in Sangkhlaburi ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Sangkhlaburi. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
Sangkhlaburi Mon Floating Boat Festival
This festival generally takes place in the month of September
Sangkhlaburi Tenth Merit Month Festival
This festival generally takes place in the month of October
Must-visits in Sangkhlaburi
Sangkhlaburi Mon Bridge
สะพานมอญ
My opinion :
Phutthakhaya Chedi
เจดีย์ทอง
My opinion :
Other places to see in Sangkhlaburi
Wat Saam Prasob, the Sunken Temple
temple more or less drowned in the lake depending on the time of year. It is most visible at the end of the dry season (March-April) and more immersed in the water at the end of the rainy season (October-November). It is only accessible by boat.
Wat Wang Wiwekaram
this is the spiritual center of Mon in Thailand. The temple is situated on a hill and houses the remains of Luang Phaw Uttama a Mon monk highly respected across the country.
Three Pagoda Pass
border checkpoint with Burma unfortunately not always open, it can allow you to obtain a visa for a day to do a visit of the nearby Burmese city. The three small white chedi that give it its name to the place are not so interesting.
Weather & climate in Sangkhlaburi
Located in the mountains in the North of Kanchanaburi, Sangkhlaburi has a tropical savanna climate with colder temperatures due to its altitude. This is a destination Thai like for its coolness. In the morning, mist very often cover the lake. The rainy season runs from May to the end of October. July and August are the rainiest months.The best time to come to Kanchanaburi is from November to March although in December and January morning temperatures can be very cool (14-17 ° C). July and August are the least favorable months with over 300 mm of precipitation. May, June and September are a little less wet.
How to ask in Thai to go to Sangkhlaburi ?
I want to go to Sangkhlaburi / Yak paï ti Sangkaburi.Where is Sangkhlaburi ? / Sangkaburi you ti naï ?
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