Visiting the Three Pagodas Pass
Located around 25 km from the Mon village or a 30-minute drive, the Three Pagodas Pass offers an interesting excursion if your time allows. This now lonely place has a fascinating history and merchants, and armies have passed each way for trade and war.
But do not expect to see monumental structures or great temples. Three simple pagodas, barely bigger than a human now mark what was for a long time, the main border between Thailand and Myanmar.
During the Ayutthaya period (14th-18th centuries), the pass was the main land route to Myanmar for anyone passing between the nations. In the 16th century, the Burmese came this way to sack Ayutthaya – the then capital of Thailand.
But it has not always been raiding parties who have come this way. Traders and pilgrims too have used the pass and they marked their passing by each leaving a small rock.
In 1929, Phra Sri Suan Kiri, Governor of Sangklaburi, oversaw a ceremony during which the stones became the base for the three pagodas that can be seen to this day.
These days the Three Pagodas Pass is just an unofficial border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar. There are small markets on both sides, but these are more low-key than those found in other border towns.
It is possible for Thai passport holders to cross the border on a one-day visa, but tourists of other nationalities are not allowed to make the crossing.