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Region: Central Thailand> Province: Kanchanaburi>Location: Sangkhlaburi

Sangkhlaburi sights and attractions

Mon Village and the floating rafts - Worth a wander through

Description
This friendly village (known by the locals as Fang Mon) at the far side of the wooden bridge can be visited in conjunction with a visit to Wat Wang Wiwaekaram (Wat Mon). Spread out across the far bank of the lake, this village has been formed by Mon refugees fleeing the oppression in Burma. These people have now become a vital part of the Sangkhlaburi community. You will receive welcoming smiles as you wander through the dirt roads dividing up the village. Behind the village on the way to the wat you'll pass a small market selling goods mainly for the local residents. If you plan on buying anything, you will get a larger choice at the Burmese souvenir market. The most direct way to visit the village is via the wooden bridge or by boat.

Thailand’s Longest Wooden Bridge - Name says it all

Description
This footbridge was completely made by hand and links the Mon village to the main town of Sangkhlaburi. You are no longer allowed to ride motorcycles over the bridge, but bicycles are permitted. In the wet season the water level almost reaches the top of the bridge, and has in the past completely covered it, whilst in the dry season about two thirds of the bridge's structure is visible. The bridge makes for a particularly scenic viewing in the early morning as the Mon tread its length on their way to work with all their belongings on their heads.

Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Wat Mon) - Certainly worth a visit

2km out of town

Description
This large wat is also known as Wat Mon due to its having predominantly Mon monks and is one of the most prominent features on the far bank of the lake. Thais travel the country in their pilgrimage to meet with the head monk and it is possible to meet him if you ask one of the monks wandering around the enclosure to organise something for you. He will bless you with holy water and will provide you with advice on anything you want. The main feature of the compound is the brilliant wat sporting sparkling stainless steel columns, teak doors on each side of the wat with detailed relief sculptures of Buddha's life, all within a moat filled with fish. Other buildings within the compound also have sculptured doors and window shutters, but with simpler designs. The monks here are very friendly and love to chat. Part of the same temple, but some 400m further down the road, is the gold topped chedi, Luang Phaw Utama, which has been modelled in the style of the Mahabodhi stupa of Bodhgaya, India. Upon closer inspection, you will notice over 100 free standing metal Buddha images of varying sizes and positions placed around the outside of the spire. Within the chedi is the largest marble Buddha image in Thailand. On each side of the road directly in front of the chedi are two long red roofed buildings.


How to get there: The wat is around 2km from the centre of town if you go via the wooden bridge or 5km if you go via the concrete bridge. By the wooden bridge, follow the road after the bridge and when you reach a T junction, turn left then follow the road until the intersection where you turn right for the wat and left for the chedi. From the centre of town a motorbike taxi should cost about 20B to 30B.