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Three Pagodas Pass

Mountain pass between Myanmar and Thailand

Photo: joaquin uy from Seattle, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Three Pagodas Pass (Thai: ด่านเจดีย์สามองค์ Darn Chedi Sam Ong) is on the Thai-Myanmar border, but accessible to foreigners only from the Thai side. It is between Sangkhlaburi in Thailand and Payathonzu in Myanmar.

Getting there and around

Getting there

From Thailand: the nearest major town is Kanchanaburi. There are frequent bus services from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi (4-5 hr), from where you can continue by pick-up truck (30-40 min, departures hourly).

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Getting around

At the final songthaew stop, either walk (head for the Three Pagodas and then turn right) or take a motorbike to the border (you will be very limited in what you'll be able to visit without a motorbike).

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UnderstandThree Pagodas Pass was for centuries on the main land route between India and South East Asia.

Get inFrom Thailand: the nearest major town is Kanchanaburi. There are frequent bus services from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi (4-5 hr), from where you can continue by pick-up truck (30-40 min, departures hourly).

Get aroundAt the final songthaew stop, either walk (head for the Three Pagodas and then turn right) or take a motorbike to the border (you will be very limited in what you'll be able to visit without a motorbike).

SeeThe Thai side of the pass consists of the three smallish chedi, a couple of shrines, a market oriented around Burmese goods (carved wood, gems, textiles), and the border gate to Myanmar.

BuyBurmese wooden furniture, jade carvings, and textiles are popular purchases.

EatOn the way from Sangkhlaburi there is a concrete bridge. Down to the right is a small restaurant on the river.

Stay safeThe area around the pass has occasionally been the site of skirmishes between the Burmese Army and various Karen and Mon rebel groups.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Three Pagodas Pass" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Three Pagodas Pass", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: joaquin uy from Seattle, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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