Sangklaburi is a small town in a remote part of Thailand not far from the border with Myanmar near Three Pagodas Pass. The 200 kilometer drive north from Kanchanaburi to Sangklaburi winds through mountain passes with by beautiful views along the lake formed by the dammed Kwai River. 

Sangklaburi is a small, laid back town in a scenic setting some 370km northwest of Bangkok and a mere 24 km from the Burmese border at Three Pagodas Pass. Set towards the end of one of Thailand's most spectacular roads, it is situated on the low hills edging Vajiralongkorn Lake (previously known as Khao Laem Lake) and is surrounded to the north and east by higher, forest covered limestone ranges. The outlying area hosts numerous caves, waterfalls, Karen and Mon villages, the vast Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife reserve and Khao Laem National Park to the south.

While Sangkhlaburi was traditionally a Karen town, the more recent influx of Thais, along with numerous Mon and Burmese settlers fleeing the problems over the border, has created a particularly culturally and religiously diverse town making it an interesting place to include in a Thai travel itinerary.

Sangkhlaburi is popular with Thai weekenders from Bangkok, but not frequented much by western travelers (a pity since it is well worth the visit), as it is a great place to chill out with enough sights and things to keep one occupied for a few days weekend, if not longer. While having a very remote feel to it, Sangkhlaburi can in fact be reached by bus from Bangkok in around seven hours. The higher altitude, and the presence of the lake, can make it very damp during the rainy season and considerably cooler at night-time than say in the center of Kanchanaburi.

The Uttamaunsorn Mon Bridge, and the individual Mon Villages, are symbols of the area which were all built by a collaboration of devoted Mon villagers as a tribute to the Buddhist Abbot Uttama. The bridge is 850 meters long, considered to be Thailand's longest wooden bridge as it stretches across the Song Galia River. From the bridge itself, one can see the spectacular view of much of the Khao Laem reservoir.

Wat Wang Wiwekaram is the main temple in the area and was built mainly from donations from villagers who were followers of Abbot Uttama. It is the shrine of the Mon people and the most important temple in Sangkhlaburi. The highlight is the 59 meter tall replica of Chedi Buddhakhaya. The top of the Chedi contains a number of Buddha's relics from Sri Lanka. The shrine itself houses "Luang Por Khao", a large, white, Buddha image set in marble. Near the lake is an exotic bell tower built in the style of traditional Mon architecture. There's a good little tourist market in the covered cloisters at the Chedi compound as well selling fabrics and other handicrafts brought across from Burma.

By long-tail boat or canoe you can cross the reservoir in search of the sunken temple; Wat Sam Phrasop, which is 90% underwater with only the top of the roof peeping out from the water. The Mon village of Bsan Waeng Ka, on the other side of the reservoir, was founded in the late 1940s after the outbreak of civil war in Burma forced the country's ethnic minorities to flee across the border.

With cooler weather, stunning natural beauty, hospitable local people, and a range of activities (including trekking, rafting and elephant riding) Sangkhlaburi has much to offer for the outdoor traveler.