Sangkhlaburi is a district where the majority of the population are Karen, Mon, some Muslims and about 10% of Thai people. Sangkhla Buri translates into Burmese as blending together. That people rarely go because the journey is quite long and winding. Away from the city I've been there twice. There is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and an underwater temple that appears during the dry season. It's very beautiful.♥
Hi Carl. I stayed there at P-Guest House in 2008 as I went to photograph the Mon people across the bridge. Such a stunning place to match a stunning trip report.
Yes, that whole area and the other side of the reservoir near Si Sawat is a genuine hidden gem. I’d wanted to drive that road for years but had a very low car at the time, as it happens it wasn’t too bad but it wouldn’t have taken too much rain to change that situation, cheers
Totally fine with me the place has not been ruined YET like so many other places. I remember it well years ago. Had the entire city to myself the whole stay falang free. The fact is 99.999% of foreigners both tourist and expats are like sheep. Never go outside their little sheltered bubbles. If the foreigners I have been seeing lately near Bangkok are any indication I don,t want them anywhere near this place. They have a knack at weirding out the locals. I plan to be in that same area in a few weeks. We are blessed we can communicate with the Thais. Never take that for granted.
Yes, Sangkhlaburi has proved to be a ‘Bridge Too Far’ for most of the tourists lol. In their defence most of them only have 2 or 3 weeks holiday and they probably just want to blow off a bit of steam when they get here. A visit to many of the more remote destinations would takes days from their holiday. For whatever reasons we are blessed with the time to explore deeper.
I got the train from Bangkok to Kan then rode my bicycle to Sangka visiting sits along the way. My favourite part of Thailand, would have loved to have seen it in the 90s ❤
Had the pleasure of driving up there from proper Kanchanaburi this past April. The ride was scenic as could be. Wished I was on a motorbike. We spend the majority of the day on the Mon side of the bridge and took a boat excursion to ancient temples south of the bridge. The Mon side of bridge lodging was fully booked and thus got a room with awesome bridge view room and enormous Buddha structure on the Thai side. Would have preferred the Mon side - so book early. Didn't walk the bridge but this video is like I had. On the way back to Bangkok, we stopped off at Mon temple, which instantly became my favorite temple so far in Thailand. It connected with me. . And yes, I felt like the only foreigner there. The night market was a disappointment as nothing there I found edible other than fried Gai. This after a fresh 11 days in covid quarantine in Bangkok at a hospitel. We did share a communal table with other people, stabbing a pointed stick and measly cuts of meat from a large bowl. Why not as my immune system just got bolstered ? I'd love to revisit as we only did a overnight there. Songklaburi was a top highlight of my six weeks in Thailand earlier this year.
As long as I can remember it’s always been a funky town. Strange thing is that it doesn’t seem any busier today with Western tourists than it was over 30 years ago. I was looking at some of my old pictures which reminded me that it has actually expanded a lot in that time but it still has that unique atmosphere
Aw that was cool, my first trip to Kanch was 92, been back a few times took my Dad on a trip as he always wanted to come along he had a bit of a fall while Walking the Erawan trail and could see it may be a little too much to take him further to that waterfall but defo on my list now … love your videos have to make sure I watch some more later
Did you get to Sangkhlaburi back in 92? That was a really funky place back then? Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall doesn't require as much walking as Erawan does although it is a bit further to drive. Thanks
Just seen this come up on my phone , will check out the video on laptop , I’m in BKK now but leaving for Esan tomorrow and will be there for 4/5 days before heading to kanchaburi and possibly petchaburi then patts
great video, i just traveled through Roiet and Masasarakhan the onto Nong Khai over to Vientiane, today we are in Loei, tomorrow heading for Chiang Khan
That’s great Gordon, a stunning part of Thailand. Hopefully you have visited some of the locations I’ve highlighted in my videos ? (Apart from Chiang Khan)
Huai Kae Khamin waterfall looked amazing. Have been once when we rented a house boat on the reservoir, their was no water in the falls 🤦♂️, must go back sometime.
I must admit that I was under the impression that it was one of those waterfalls that flows year round. I’ve been 4 times and it’s been good every time. Thanks for the information and yes, it’s worth seeing while it’s flowing
ive got a holiday house in kanchanaburi. Its a brilliant part of Thailand. Literally no scumbags too! btw you can get the train from bkk to namtok which is right up at the erawan national park and the ticket is 100 baht
It's a beautiful Province and for years I lived just 60 kms from Kanchanaburi, love it. I've never actually taken the train to Nam Tok though am aware of it. I did once take the train to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok Noi train station but it was over 30 years ago lol. Cheers
Nice one mate... I may upload my video of the jungle drive if I ever find my sd card; I lost a little tin with ALL my sd cards/vids a month or so back. Still hoping it will turn up! What a great drive up, through and over the back way in...
It was a cool drive wasn’t it Jim, so glad we didn’t just take the simple route. Those damn SD cards are just toooo small aren’t they, smaller than they need be lol
I agree - a lovely area. Another really beautiful area I visited for the first time recently was Nan. Lots of Thai tourists but almost no foreign tourists at all. Yet it is a really beautiful area. Arguably one of the best areas for motorcycle touring. Such a good channel. 🤩
Yes, both Nan and Phrae are disappointingly under explored by foreign tourists. It does improve the feeling of adventure for those that do visit though
The camera you’re using sure captures the beauty of this place! ❤ Thanks for sharing this video Karl…….hope you had a great Christmas and have a wonderful New Year😊
It’s an incredible part of Thailand and doesn’t seem much busier to me than it was in my first visit in 1991 even if it is a lot more developed now. Cheers
Karl do you use Avenza Maps for your backup, or primary topographical recon map? Currently I am collecting a full set of digital maps for Thailand for future treks with you guys and other humpers. Also, where does one purchase hard copy topographical maps like the ones put out by the USGS? Thanks mate. Cheers.
On my handheld Garmin GPS unit I use maps that I downloaded from this website. I find them to be pretty good with many trails already loaded onto them. They don’t have the greatest amount of detail and contours sometimes have to be loaded separately. One issue in Thailand is that in some areas the mapping isn’t officially available as they are considered have a security risk. These maps can also be used with Garmin PC software. It’s a useable solution but it’s not comparable to the amount and quality of mapping available for somewhere like the USA. Here’s the website link openmtbmap.org
Karl those old photos of Mon Bridge are amazing, to look back and think that was like only yesterday ( kind of ) priceless …. Keep posting all these past photos 🙏🙏 .. btw what camera do you use now?
Cheers Tom, I’m so happy that I kept those pictures. I always recall Sangkhlaburi as having a unique feel to it (and it still does) but it was only looking at those pictures that reminded me of how much more built up now it is in places. I’m still using an iPhone 12 Pro as both my camera and editor
Beautiful images, what camera are you using? I think Kanchanaburi provence is classic south east Asia scenery, plus chuck in the history, ancient invading Burmese and WW2 !!
@@karlsthailand im amazed thats all you use. I find it inconvenient to edit video on a phone. Hats off to you! for traveling so light with the photography equipment. So, you dont feel like you need a pro camera or lenses?
I do love Kanchanaburi Province but there are other parts of Thailand I love just as much. It just happens that I’ve spent a fair bit of time there recently. I’ll be back to exploring other Provinces very soon. Thanks for commenting
Hi mate. I'm visiting kanchanaburi in Aug. I'll be staying for 3 or 4 days. Could you recommend where to stay. Close to nightlife and historical places. Thanks
The Smiley Frog is a good budget option, very close to the bar area and not too far from the bridge with a range of rooms of bungalows down by the river.
@@karlsthailand i was sitting outside the metro apartments a couple of days ago and u came walking past, as ive got off my stool to say hi think ur stuffs great u had breezed by as if u were in training for a marathon, love to say hi if i can ever get fit enough to keep up, ha ha ha, top man karl love ur vids
Cheers Craig, I quite often walk past there, in fact I used to stay there for years until it got too noisy for me. It’s always good to meet subscribers. Cheers
Great stuff again Karl, looks amazing and after my recent visit to Erawan I think this one definitely Trumps it! Another Pin 📌 in Google Maps for me if I'm up that way 👌. Thanks for sharing 👍
Did you eat a Mon / Burmese BBQ ? It's been many years since my visit and I'm not 100% sure of the correct name ! I don't recall seeing that style of BBQ elsewhere in Thailand.
@@karlsthailandMy pleasure. It was a Myanmar / Burmese BBQ (lots of things on sticks around a central bowl) I do also recall eating a delicious Mon noodle curry.
Do you need a licence for a drone in Thailand, or are they generally ok with people using them? I’m off to Kanchanaburi in February and would love to take my drone with me.
Yes, they need to be registered here. A friend has just done it and says it wasn’t too hard to bring his UK purchased drone here. You can Google it as mine was obtained here. You usually need permission to use them in National Parks so need to apply a week or so in advance. Some other places put up no drone signs but remote Temples and the like are usually ok. Cheers
This area and waterfall might now change my mind on visiting Erawan. Based on pics and reviews of Erawan , I was less interested before. Thanks for bringing this to light.
I loved Erewan but it wasn't too busy when I went there for some reason. Great swimming. But yes you need to try and go there at a quiet time (low season weekday for example).
Im amazed karl that you don't get the view numbers as your content is absolutely fantastic, right up thier with the best 😮👌👍🙏
I don’t know Frank, people say that but the algorithm works in mysterious ways sometimes. Cheers
Agree Karl’s Thailand is one of the best channels I love watching his trails
What a stunning waterfall. Absolutely breathtaking. Thanks for showing us Karl.
My pleasure crypotrader2779 and cheers
Sangkhlaburi is a district where the majority of the population are Karen, Mon, some Muslims and about 10% of Thai people.
Sangkhla Buri translates into Burmese as blending together.
That people rarely go because the journey is quite long and winding. Away from the city
I've been there twice. There is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and an underwater temple that appears during the dry season. It's very beautiful.♥
Yes, I first went there 32 years ago and it still has a unique atmosphere to it even today. Thanks for your comment
Simply Amazing Thailand, keep up the great work show casing Land of Smiles
Cheers, hope you are well
Hi Carl. I stayed there at P-Guest House in 2008 as I went to photograph the Mon people across the bridge. Such a stunning place to match a stunning trip report.
Thanks Andrew, indeed Sangkhlaburi has always has it’s own unique atmosphere and beauty
Stunning video and a soundtrack
Thanks so much. Sangkhlaburi is a beautiful part of the country
done that road to hui mae kumin many times years ago... glad the road hasn't been paved.. it's a great drive..
Yes, that whole area and the other side of the reservoir near Si Sawat is a genuine hidden gem. I’d wanted to drive that road for years but had a very low car at the time, as it happens it wasn’t too bad but it wouldn’t have taken too much rain to change that situation, cheers
Nice video Karl some great B roll showing very beautiful scenery. I’d really like to visit those locations myself.
Cheers Mark, it’s a stunning part of the country
Totally fine with me the place has not been ruined YET like so many other places. I remember it well years ago. Had the entire city to myself the whole stay falang free. The fact is 99.999% of foreigners both tourist and expats are like sheep. Never go outside their little sheltered bubbles. If the foreigners I have been seeing lately near Bangkok are any indication I don,t want them anywhere near this place. They have a knack at weirding out the locals. I plan to be in that same area in a few weeks. We are blessed we can communicate with the Thais. Never take that for granted.
Yes, Sangkhlaburi has proved to be a ‘Bridge Too Far’ for most of the tourists lol. In their defence most of them only have 2 or 3 weeks holiday and they probably just want to blow off a bit of steam when they get here. A visit to many of the more remote destinations would takes days from their holiday. For whatever reasons we are blessed with the time to explore deeper.
Such a beautiful gems. Must visit one day. Thanks for sharing
There are some great places in Kanchanaburi. Thanks
I got the train from Bangkok to Kan then rode my bicycle to Sangka visiting sits along the way. My favourite part of Thailand, would have loved to have seen it in the 90s ❤
It is a stunning area. Strangely Sangkhlaburi seems more popular with Thais than Farangs. Cheers
Been and absolutely loved it, what an experience
That’s great KG, there’s definitely a unique atmosphere about that place, always has been. Cheers
Production quality top notch. Awesome video Karl
Thanks very much Dasm, it’s nice when my efforts are appreciated
Love the video Karl very enjoyable watch mate
Nice one John. Sangkhlaburi has a very unique feel to it
Had the pleasure of driving up there from proper Kanchanaburi this past April. The ride was scenic as could be. Wished I was on a motorbike. We spend the majority of the day on the Mon side of the bridge and took a boat excursion to ancient temples south of the bridge. The Mon side of bridge lodging was fully booked and thus got a room with awesome bridge view room and enormous Buddha structure on the Thai side. Would have preferred the Mon side - so book early. Didn't walk the bridge but this video is like I had. On the way back to Bangkok, we stopped off at Mon temple, which instantly became my favorite temple so far in Thailand. It connected with me. . And yes, I felt like the only foreigner there. The night market was a disappointment as nothing there I found edible other than fried Gai. This after a fresh 11 days in covid quarantine in Bangkok at a hospitel. We did share a communal table with other people, stabbing a pointed stick and measly cuts of meat from a large bowl. Why not as my immune system just got bolstered ? I'd love to revisit as we only did a overnight there. Songklaburi was a top highlight of my six weeks in Thailand earlier this year.
As long as I can remember it’s always been a funky town. Strange thing is that it doesn’t seem any busier today with Western tourists than it was over 30 years ago. I was looking at some of my old pictures which reminded me that it has actually expanded a lot in that time but it still has that unique atmosphere
Great video Karl .Kanchanaburi has so much to offer .( I live there ). Thanks
Cheers Jim, you could do a lot worse than live there.
Brilliant video mate. Truly remarkable places you have shown. Thanks
Thanks very much, I try not to follow the crowd
@@karlsthailand exactly the same.
UNREEL!!! i is knot 2 far away. Karl 2023 Please "KEEP on KEEPING ON" UNREEL!!!
Cheers again Rodney
Amazing spots and footage!
Thanks very much ManOfAdventure
cheers Karl yet another great upload.
Thanks again Pete!
Wow fantastic video mate so informative, love the lady’s in red on the bridge. Chris
Thanks very much Chris, those ladies certainly added a bit of colour didn’t they?
I love this video, clever to go back too 1992.I have seen enough video's of flash hotels and expensive restaurants and bars.Keep up the good work.
Thanks very much David, I’m glad that you enjoyed the video
Aw that was cool, my first trip to Kanch was 92, been back a few times took my Dad on a trip as he always wanted to come along he had a bit of a fall while
Walking the Erawan trail and could see it may be a little too much to take him further to that waterfall but defo on my list now … love your videos have to make sure I watch some more later
Did you get to Sangkhlaburi back in 92? That was a really funky place back then? Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall doesn't require as much walking as Erawan does although it is a bit further to drive. Thanks
Stunning...will add to list b4 the mass crowds arrive...maybe too late already!
I reckon you still got time Alan 😉 Cheers
GREAT VIDEO YET AGAIN KARL TAKE CARE xx
Thanks xxxx
A bit if paradise , so nice ! Thanks Karl and wish you a happy New Year ! Enjoy ...
Happy new year to you too Karl and thanks
Karl , I hope you realise how blessed you are to live a life like yours ! 😊
Believe me my life isn’t always as glamorous as the videos make it look but yes I am blessed. Thanks
Just seen this come up on my phone , will check out the video on laptop , I’m in BKK now but leaving for Esan tomorrow and will be there for 4/5 days before heading to kanchaburi and possibly petchaburi then patts
Sounds like my kind of trip Gordon. Hope you are well
great video, i just traveled through Roiet and Masasarakhan the onto Nong Khai over to Vientiane, today we are in Loei, tomorrow heading for Chiang Khan
That’s great Gordon, a stunning part of Thailand. Hopefully you have visited some of the locations I’ve highlighted in my videos ? (Apart from Chiang Khan)
@@karlsthailand today at Wat Phasonkaew, and staying close by its freezing 15C
Beautifully captured again Karl. May you and your channel prosper in 2023. Happy new year, I hope to bump into you again in April.
Thanks very much and all the best for the New Year to you too. I’m back in Pattaya now so maybe see you April
Huai Kae Khamin waterfall looked amazing. Have been once when we rented a house boat on the reservoir, their was no water in the falls 🤦♂️, must go back sometime.
I must admit that I was under the impression that it was one of those waterfalls that flows year round. I’ve been 4 times and it’s been good every time. Thanks for the information and yes, it’s worth seeing while it’s flowing
Most beautiful place in Thailand mate we bloody loved it could have stayed for weeks 🇹🇭❤️
Sangkhlaburi certainly has always had a unique ambiance and beauty to it Ellis
Been there also! A good ten years ago now.
Beautiful part of the country for sure
Another very interesting video, Karl.
Thanks Paul. Happy New Year
Happy New Year to you too, Karl.
You would have made a great cinematographer my friend.
And your scores are quality too.
👍💯💥🙏
Thank you so much 😀 I try my best.
ive got a holiday house in kanchanaburi. Its a brilliant part of Thailand. Literally no scumbags too! btw you can get the train from bkk to namtok which is right up at the erawan national park and the ticket is 100 baht
It's a beautiful Province and for years I lived just 60 kms from Kanchanaburi, love it. I've never actually taken the train to Nam Tok though am aware of it. I did once take the train to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok Noi train station but it was over 30 years ago lol. Cheers
Magic 🙏
Thanks very much
Incredibly cool places Kalle also well filmed 👍
Thanks Anders
Nice one mate... I may upload my video of the jungle drive if I ever find my sd card; I lost a little tin with ALL my sd cards/vids a month or so back. Still hoping it will turn up! What a great drive up, through and over the back way in...
It was a cool drive wasn’t it Jim, so glad we didn’t just take the simple route. Those damn SD cards are just toooo small aren’t they, smaller than they need be lol
@@karlsthailand too blooming small mate lol
I never travel so far up from Kanchanaburi but it looks fantastic up there.
Kanchanaburi is an incredible Province but it can be awkward to travel around and see properly unless you hire a vehicle
Looks great
Krap Pom
Cheers Mike
Great spot, thanks Karl. Between you and Bangkok Pat, I’ve got the country covered…
Nice one Superjet, glad to be able to give you some ideas
I agree - a lovely area. Another really beautiful area I visited for the first time recently was Nan. Lots of Thai tourists but almost no foreign tourists at all. Yet it is a really beautiful area. Arguably one of the best areas for motorcycle touring. Such a good channel. 🤩
Yes, both Nan and Phrae are disappointingly under explored by foreign tourists. It does improve the feeling of adventure for those that do visit though
The camera you’re using sure captures the beauty of this place! ❤ Thanks for sharing this video Karl…….hope you had a great Christmas and have a wonderful New Year😊
Thanks Marietta, Heppy New Year to you too and glad you enjoyed the video
Nice area.
It’s stunning Utahboy, thanks
Wait.......... I went there....... for the bridge, the history, for fun, and to see some Chang close up.
It’s an incredible part of Thailand and doesn’t seem much busier to me than it was in my first visit in 1991 even if it is a lot more developed now. Cheers
Karl do you use Avenza Maps for your backup, or primary topographical recon map? Currently I am collecting a full set of digital maps for Thailand for future treks with you guys and other humpers. Also, where does one purchase hard copy topographical maps like the ones put out by the USGS? Thanks mate. Cheers.
On my handheld Garmin GPS unit I use maps that I downloaded from this website. I find them to be pretty good with many trails already loaded onto them. They don’t have the greatest amount of detail and contours sometimes have to be loaded separately. One issue in Thailand is that in some areas the mapping isn’t officially available as they are considered have a security risk. These maps can also be used with Garmin PC software. It’s a useable solution but it’s not comparable to the amount and quality of mapping available for somewhere like the USA. Here’s the website link openmtbmap.org
Karl those old photos of Mon Bridge are amazing, to look back and think that was like only yesterday ( kind of ) priceless …. Keep posting all these past photos 🙏🙏 .. btw what camera do you use now?
Cheers Tom, I’m so happy that I kept those pictures. I always recall Sangkhlaburi as having a unique feel to it (and it still does) but it was only looking at those pictures that reminded me of how much more built up now it is in places. I’m still using an iPhone 12 Pro as both my camera and editor
Beautiful images, what camera are you using? I think Kanchanaburi provence is classic south east Asia scenery, plus chuck in the history, ancient invading Burmese and WW2 !!
Yes, Kanchanaburi has so much to offer. I currently use an IPhone 12 Pro to both film and edit my videos plus an old Mavic Pro drone
@@karlsthailand im amazed thats all you use. I find it inconvenient to edit video on a phone. Hats off to you! for traveling so light with the photography equipment. So, you dont feel like you need a pro camera or lenses?
Great video Karl!
Thanks very much paragonsmile
Cheers karl👍
My pleasure Almaxx
First time commenter since introduced. What all but this was lovely. You seem to have a passion around this area? Correct me if I'm wrong
I do love Kanchanaburi Province but there are other parts of Thailand I love just as much. It just happens that I’ve spent a fair bit of time there recently. I’ll be back to exploring other Provinces very soon. Thanks for commenting
Hi mate. I'm visiting kanchanaburi in Aug. I'll be staying for 3 or 4 days. Could you recommend where to stay. Close to nightlife and historical places. Thanks
The Smiley Frog is a good budget option, very close to the bar area and not too far from the bridge with a range of rooms of bungalows down by the river.
how in this world has this man only got 6k subs, fuck me theres some right dire thai channels 45k plus, brilliant karl
Thanks very much for that compliment Craig, the way UA-cam tends to work has been very much a learning experience for me so far
@@karlsthailand i was sitting outside the metro apartments a couple of days ago and u came walking past, as ive got off my stool to say hi think ur stuffs great u had breezed by as if u were in training for a marathon, love to say hi if i can ever get fit enough to keep up, ha ha ha, top man karl love ur vids
Cheers Craig, I quite often walk past there, in fact I used to stay there for years until it got too noisy for me. It’s always good to meet subscribers. Cheers
Great stuff again Karl, looks amazing and after my recent visit to Erawan I think this one definitely Trumps it! Another Pin 📌 in Google Maps for me if I'm up that way 👌.
Thanks for sharing 👍
My pleasure Mark, glad you enjoyed the video
Did you eat a Mon / Burmese BBQ ? It's been many years since my visit and I'm not 100% sure of the correct name ! I don't recall seeing that style of BBQ elsewhere in Thailand.
No, I’ve been there many times but never really tried any Mon food. I’ll make an effort next time I am there. Thanks for the tip
@@karlsthailandMy pleasure. It was a Myanmar / Burmese BBQ (lots of things on sticks around a central bowl) I do also recall eating a delicious Mon noodle curry.
Do you need a licence for a drone in Thailand, or are they generally ok with people using them? I’m off to Kanchanaburi in February and would love to take my drone with me.
Yes, they need to be registered here. A friend has just done it and says it wasn’t too hard to bring his UK purchased drone here. You can Google it as mine was obtained here. You usually need permission to use them in National Parks so need to apply a week or so in advance. Some other places put up no drone signs but remote Temples and the like are usually ok. Cheers
@@karlsthailand thanks for the info Karl, cheers 🍻
Wangka cafe made me laugh a lot
Yeah. I wonder what they call people from Wangka lol
Room is horrible! I never want to sleep there!🙀
I quite liked it, one of the rooms with an en suite toilet would have been better though.
mon bridge why does no one there because they will come at 06:30 up there so many people there ( only monk come )
I think it’s just too far for most tourists to travel but I love the place. Perhaps I should have got up earlier to see the monks
This area and waterfall might now change my mind on visiting Erawan. Based on pics and reviews of Erawan , I was less interested before. Thanks for bringing this to light.
They’re both beautiful places but Erawan definitely gets the lion’s share of the tourists
I loved Erewan but it wasn't too busy when I went there for some reason. Great swimming. But yes you need to try and go there at a quiet time (low season weekday for example).
good work
Thanks very much