Sangkhla Buri

Sangkhla Buri is a district town in western Thailand near the border with Myanmar, in Kanchanaburi province. It is known for its multicultural population including Thai and Mon communities and for wooden bridge architecture.

The town’s most recognisable landmark is the long timber Uttamanusorn Bridge that crosses the Songkalia River and connects to a Mon village and temple complex. Nearby is the old Wat Wang Wiwekaram site, a temple that is partly submerged when reservoir levels are high and visible in drier seasons.

Sangkhla Buri developed as a frontier trade and community centre and grew with the settlement of Mon refugees and migrants in the 20th century. The bridge and temple complex have become focal points for local religious life and tourism.

Geographically the town lies in mountainous western Thailand close to the Myanmar border, in a river valley setting of forested hills and reservoirs; it is one of the westernmost district centres in Kanchanaburi province.

• Cultural mix and border location: The town is a cultural meeting point of Thai, Mon and Burmese communities and serves as a base for river excursions and visits to the border area with Myanmar.

What to See #

• Uttamanusorn Bridge (Mon Bridge): A long wooden footbridge built by local Mon craftsmen that links the Thai town with a Mon village across the Songkalia River and is one of the longest timber bridges in Thailand.
• Wat Wang Wiwekaram (old temple): Wat Wang Wiwekaram and the partially submerged old temple nearby, visible at lower water levels and forming an important cultural site for local Thai and Mon communities.