Here is a comprehensive list of the things to do in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand.
Sangkhlaburi province lies in northeastern Thailand, some five hours a ride from Bangkok City. Amidst the chaos and wreckage caused by civil unrest decades ago, Sangkhlaburi slowly emerges into the ecotourism limelight. The town has become a favorite weekend getaway for many locals living in the urban jungle.
Today, more international tourists are trooping to Sangkhlaburi to experience “real Thailand.” This holds especially true for those who spent a big deal of time in the bustling city of Bangkok and wanted to escape into the wilderness.
The province offers just that. It may not have the powdery white sand beaches that Thailand is known for. But it boasts of ancient wilderness with an amazing diversity of wildlife species.
Here are the best things to do in Sangkhlaburi for an ultimate Thailand getaway.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
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Top 10 BEST Things to do in Sangkhla Buri
Sip Hot Brewed Coffee at Graph Café
The surrounding mountains of Sangkhlaburi are ideal sites for growing coffee, making it one of the province’s main crops. To have an authentic taste of this highland coffee, check out Graph Café.
It offers various servings of coffee with cold and hot options. Those who prefer the authentic taste can opt for purely brewed coffee. There’s nothing like sipping a cup or two of it while taking bites of local snacks.
Many tourists prefer visiting the café during the rainy months of May to October. During these periods, they can experience the tropical breeze of the province. Besides, the cold weather would complement hot and steamy coffee.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Relax and experience rejuvenation at Tara Spa
Dubbed the best spot for massage in Thailand, Tara Spa offers a high-end but simple form of massage therapy. Who would expect that such a remote province as Sangkhlaburi would offer massage services that will keep visitors back? But that’s something that tourists will no longer ask once they try what it has to offer.
The spa has a relaxing and serene vibe that gives instant relief. It’s just a simple structure but is well decorated with lush foliages and designs. Once the staff starts rubbing natural essential oils, visitors will find themselves floating in rejuvenation. Some would even doze but come out feeling refreshed after the massage.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Have a Sumptuous Meal at Toy Restaurant
Toy Restaurant is one of the cheapest restaurants in Thailand. But that doesn’t mean that the meals here don’t satisfying. Many foreign tourists come here not for the low price but for the quality of services.
The owner cooks authentic Thai cuisine with variations depending on the region represented. Because the owner has been cooking for several years in this humble dining area, expect local foods to be at their finest. There’s no better place to have a sumptuous feasting experience than here relative to price.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Shop for locally-made souvenirs at Chuen Jai House
When looking for the best souvenir shop in town, look no further than Chuen Jai House. Among the priced items sold here are jewelry and artsy postcards made by the owner herself. Materials used for these are sourced locally. That means every item bought helps promote and improve the local livelihood.
Aside from jewelry, the shop sells other handicrafts, such as woven baskets, textiles, and wooden sculptures. These are sourced from local organizations throughout the province.
Tourists don’t have to worry about their stomachs when visiting Chuen Jai House. The owner occasionally serves home-baked pizzas. The pizza here is not only favorite tourists treat but also a come-on for residents near the shop.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Experience the chilly power of the Songkalia River
Songkali River originates from the forest-clad mountains of Sangkhlaburi. It is one of the cleanest rivers in the area, making it a favorite getaway for locals escaping the summer heat. There are floating cottages lining the river.
Tourists can have meals on one of these while gazing at the river’s pristine beauty. Others dangle their feet on the river to experience its chilly power while treating themselves to local delicacies.
Tourists who are into adrenaline-pumping experiences can try whitewater tubing on the river. Some parts of the river run wild with powerful cataracts and churning waters. All of these makeup for a thrilling tubing experience.
Add to that the beautiful sceneries to see along the river, including rolling hills, lush forests, and different wildlife.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Have a Thrilling Stroll on the Bamboo Bridge
Strolling on the Bamboo Bridge is one of the best things to do in Sangkhlaburi, one of its iconic tourist spots. A strong typhoon ravaged the bridge in 2013.
But the locals resolved to restore it and, after some months, brought back the glory of the Bamboo Bridge. Today, it’s not only an important tourism destination.
For the locals, the Bamboo Bridge plays an important role in the local economy. It connects the town center to the Mon village on the lake’s other side.
Tourists can stroll on the bridge from either point. Not only will they enjoy the sights of the river and the traditional structure, but they will also experience the simplicity and practicality of rural living. If they want to beat the summer heat, they can jump into the river and have a refreshing swim.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Explore the Sunken Temple via Kayak
The national government built a massive dam that submerged towns and temples three decades ago. Today, some temples’ top structures can be seen, especially when the water levels of the lake drop.
One of the most frequented sunken temples is Wat Samprasob, which stands on a site where three major rivers of Thailand meet.
It’s best to visit it during the early morning to experience a caressing atmosphere and a fresh view of the lakes, rivers, and mountains. Tourists can also swim on the lake or drive to explore the sunken temples and other structures.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Experience Vibrant Culture at the Mon Market
Once you’re done strolling on the Bamboo Bridge or swimming on the adjacent river, check out the Mon Market. It is one of the busiest places in the province, and tourists will find a cultural diversity market. Folks from different municipalities and neighboring areas come here to trade goods.
Tourists will not only be amazed by the unique products sold, including fresh fruits, indigenous garments, wooden sculptures, and exotic animals. They will also appreciate the colorful attire of the different ethnic groups coming to the market.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Relish the Sight of Wat Wang Wiwekaram Temple
Tourists can easily spot Wat Wang Wiwekaram Temple when cruising on the lake. This easily recognizable structure is a favorite pilgrimage site of local Buddhists. Even tourists love coming here to experience the serene atmosphere or to engage in spiritual activities like meditation. The body of the temple’s head monk is displayed in the temple for good fortune.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Chase Kratengjeng Waterfall
Kratengjeng Falls lies deep in the remote forests of Khao Laem National Park. Therefore, it makes up for a memorable experience, especially for tourists who crave extremities. Expect to trail on dense forests and cross rivers before finally catching sight of the waterfall. But don’t worry. The trails reward visitors with the richness and beauty of the forest. There are elephants, bears, and different species of birds inhabiting the vast forest.
Now, there you have it. Those are just some of the best things to do in Sangkhlaburi. Of course, these are just icing on what the province offers.
Where to stay in Sangkla Buri? Find great deals and book your hotel here!
Planning to visit Thailand soon? Start here!
- How to plan your trip: A Step-by-Step Guide on Planning a Trip to Thailand
- When to visit Thailand: Find out here when to visit and plan your trip according to season
- Itinerary examples: 1-Week Itinerary, 2-weeks in Thailand Itinerary
- How much does it cost to travel Thailand? Read this guide on how to budget your trip!
- How to pack for Thailand? Read this guide to learn what to pack!
- Where to buy groceries in Thailand? Read this guide!
- How to get around Thailand? Read our transportation guide!
- List of places to visit in Thailand: Places to Visit in Thailand, Southern Thailand, Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Isaan
- Points of interest in Thailand: Things to do, Cities to Visit, Islands to Chill in, Best Beaches, Surfing Spots, Diving Spots, Best Hiking Destinations, Where to go Camping, Waterfalls to Chase, Temples to Visit, Romantic Destinations, Honeymoon Destinations, National Parks, Unique Experiences, Thai Cuisine, Fine-dining Experience, Attractions to Visit, Tourist Spots, Vacation Spots, Heritage Sites, Family Travel, Adventure Travel, Backpacking Experience, and Beautiful Resorts
- Cultural overview: Thai Customs, Culture and Traditions, Temple Etiquette, Tipping in Thailand, Things to Know Before Your Visit, What NOT To Do in Thailand, Facts about Thailand, Festivals in Thailand, How to Wai, Useful Thai Phrases, and How to Greet in Thai
- My Favorite Places in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Pattaya, Koh Samet, and Koh Samui
Where to stay in Sangkhla Buri
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