Talk:Sangkhlaburi/Listings

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Amphoe Sangkhla Buri

Sangkhla Buri is a district bounded by Myanmar, approximately 215 km. from the city of Kanchanaburi. By travelling along Highway 323, passing mountains near Vajiralongkorn Dam, an attractive reservoir with beautiful scenery. Furthermore, Amphoe Sangkhla Buri is situated in the place where three rivers: Huai Song Ka Lia, Huai Bi Khli and Huai Ran Ti, join and lead to the Khwae Noi River. That’s why we call the point “Sam Prasop” (the confluence of three rivers). In addition, Mons have settled in this district so visitors can learn about the typical Mon ancient culture and traditions here.

Namtok Dai Chong Thong (น้ำตกไดช่องถ่อง) This waterfall is located in Khao Laem National Park on Highway 323 (Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri) between Km. 32-33. Before arriving at Namtok Kroeng Krawia, you will see a sign leading to Namtok Dai Chong Thong on your left. Go ahead about 500 metres then turn right and go straight on for about 500 metres. After that, travel on foot for about 600 metres before reaching the medium-sized waterfall flowing to the Mae Klong Dam with fertile green forest which looks very attractive, especially in the rainy season.

Namtok Kroeng Krawia (น้ำตกเกริงกระเวีย) The waterfall is located in Khao Laem National Park on Highway 323 (Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri) between Km. 32-33, a little further from Namtok Dai Chong Thong. Approximately 191 km. from Amphoe Mueang, this small waterfall is the point where water cascades down from different directions, and it is a beautiful place to rest and relax on the way to Amphoe Sangkhla Buri.

Khao Laem National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลม) About 190 km. from Kanchanaburi on Highway 323 (Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri), the national park is situated at Km. 40, about 30 km. to Amphoe Sangkhla Buri. With an area of 815 sq. km. covering Amphoe Thong Pha Phum and Amphoe Sangkhla Buri including forest, Khwae Noi River and Vajiralongkorn Dam (or Khao Laem Dam), it is a peaceful pleasant park with Huai Kateng Cheng flowing through it. Tourists can camp and start the journey there to learn about nature along the waterfall.

Namtok Kateng Cheng (น้ำตกกะเต็งเจ็ง) This medium-sized waterfall has 23 levels, and each level has its own different unique form. The distance from the first level to the highest one is about 2 km.; therefore, it is suitable for visual studies of various kinds of forests; banana forest, bamboo forest, evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest. Moreover, especially at the sixteenth level a large beautiful tree exists and another huge one requires at least 13 adults holding hands to encircle.

To experience this waterfall, tourists have to go on foot from the national park office taking about 2-3 hours. After about 2 km., they will get to the first level of the waterfall. Climbing up to the higher levels, they will find a sight-seeing point at the top of the waterfall where they can see Khao Laem Dam at a bird’s eye view. After that, visitors can choose to return by foot and take a jungle trek through the fertile virgin forest instead of the one they depart from. During the journey, they will pass fascinating fern forest, Rakam (zalacca) forest, lichi and Mafai forest. Furthermore, it is pleasant to hear the echoing sound of water falling over the rocks all the time. However, the rainy season is not a good time to visit this waterfall. Tourists should ask for official guides of the park office. Accommodation service and camping is available. Admission is Bt400 for adults and Bt200 for children. For further information, please contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkhen, at Tel. 0 2562 0760 or at the website ‘http://www.dnp.go.th’.

Mon Bridge (สะพานมอญ) Located in Amphoe Sangkhla Buri, it is also called “Saphan Uttamanuson.” This is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand with the length of 850 metres crossing Huai Song Ka Lia where people in Amphoe Sangkhla Buri and Mon Village travel back and forth. This place is another great sight-seeing point of Vajiralongkorn Dam where many creeks; Song Ka Lia, Bi Khli and Ran Ti, meet together leading to “Sam Prasop’.

Wat Wang Wiwekaram (วัดวังก์วิเวการาม) About 6 km. from Amphoe Sangkhla Buri, this temple is the residence of Luangpho Uttama, a respected monk of Thais and Mons including Karens and Burmese living in the area. On the riverside, an elegant marble Buddha image named “Luangpho Khao” is situated in the Wihan (Buddhist assembly hall). Besides, 1 km. from the temple, the Buddha Gaya Chedi with a square-formed base is situated containing relics of Lord Buddha’s right thumb. Near the pagoda, there are lots of shops selling products from Myanmar such as clothing, cosmetics, Burmese talcum powder and wooden furniture at low prices.

Every year, in February, there is a festival to celebrate Luangpho Uttama’s birthday. Activities include religious rituals, Muai Khat Chueak boxing, performances from the Cultural Folk Club such as Mon classical dance, Karen’s Ram Tong, etc. In the festival, people will get dressed in Thai-Raman typical costumes and prepare sets of food offerings to carry on their heads and give to the monks.

Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan (ถ้ำแก้วสวรรค์บันดาล) It is a complex of caves located in Tham Kaeo Sawan Bandan Meditation Centre near a small mountain. Each cave has a specific name based on their characteristics; such as Tham Badan with knee-leveled water, Tham Phopu Ruesi, Tham Kaeo Morakot, Tham Keao Sawan Bandan, and Tham Kaeo with stalactites and stalagmites that glitter like a powder of diamond when light shines on them. Please dress neatly with comfortable shoes. Be careful when visiting some caves which have a sloping stone mound; also in some caves you have to kneel down and crawl through the stone holes. It takes at least 6 hours to visit all caves.

To get there, take the route Sangkhla Buri-Three Pagodas Pass and turn right at Km. 16 near the roadside shelter. Drive along the dirt road for about 800 metres then turn right. Go on for 200 metres until you arrive at the meditation centre where the cave is situated. Tourists can ask for more information about the cave from the monks who reside in the meditation centre area.

Three Pagodas Pass (ด่านเจดีย์สามองค์) The end of the Thai border in the west is located in Tambon Nong Lu on Highway 323, about 4 km. before getting to Amphoe Sangkhla Buri. Turn into the intersection on your right and continue for 18 km. to get to the Three Pagodas Pass. All routes are asphalted.

In the past, the Three Pagodas Pass was called “Hin Sam Kong” (three piles of rocks) respected by Thais who always passed through the border. Later, in 1929 Phra Si Suwannakiri, Sangkhla Buri Governor at that time, led villagers to build three small-sized pagodas. In addition, the Three Pagodas Pass was also one of the crucial military routes of Siam and Burma.

At present, lots of shops selling products from Myanmar are placed around the border where tourists can pass through to the Phaya Tong Su Market in Myanmar, a border market full of Burmese products. The pass opens 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

Sangkhla Buri Jungle Trek This service is offered to tourists by hotels in Amphoe Sangkhla Buri. The programme starts with rowing boats along Huai Song Ka Lia, riding elephants and rafting. Please contact tour agencies in Kanchanaburi in advance or get more information at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central Region Office, Region 1, or call Tel. 0 3462 3691 and 0 3451 2500.

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 12:37, 2 February 2010 (EST)