From Bangkok it is roughly 6 to 7 hours trip by a public air-con bus to Sangklaburi. Several buses leave New Morchit bus terminal in the morning till noon time. The last section of the road between Thong Pha Phum and Sangklaburi (3 pagoda border check point) is in the hills and thus it is somewhat slow motion travel. Alternatively one can travel to Kanchanaburi town and change to a mini bus that ply between Kanchanaburi and Sangklaburi.
Early morning catch: a man catching fish using a net from his wooden boat on Khao Laem dam lake which was formed after the construction of a hydro-electric dam across the Kwae Noi river near Thong Pha Phum town. Mon and Karen (Kayin) people live in this western part of Thailand and in neighbouring Myanmar (Burma).
The wooden pedestrian bridge links the modern Sangklaburi town with bank, hotels, bus station and internet cafes to Mon villages, Mon temple and Mon market on the western side. The bridge, one of many tourist attractions, was built over Songkalia (Song Kalia or Songalia) river that drains into the lake at its northern tip. Many of the town's resorts and guesthouses are on the western bank of the lake's northern tip so as to offer the best views.
A typical floating raft house on the lake. Many raft houses float on the waters some of them are local houses, while others provide accommodations to tourists. The motor bridge in the distance allows vehicles to commute across the river.
The nearest Karen village "Sanepong" is 9 km from the paved highway road 323. The 9 km dirt road is passable in dry season, and in the rainy season even a four wheel drive truck would go only half. We walked on the cable stayed wooden bridge over the Songkalia river (also called Sane Pong stream by some locals) and entered the village.
Royal Forest Department office at the entrance to Sanepong village.
A house in Sanepong village - a Karen village of agriculture. Few grocery shops are there. In the rainy season inflatable rubber rafting trips could be started around here; while during the low water time bamboo rafts may be used. The usual destination is Songkalia village (Mon, Karen and Thai) downstream before Khao Laem dam lake. Tourists can ask the village head for permit to overnight in one of thier houses.
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