The Three Pagodas Pass

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The Three Padodas Pass

The Three Pagodas Pass (Dan Chedi Sam Ong) Formerly called "Hin Sam Kong" (Three Heaps of Stones). Three Pagodas Pass is a pass on the border between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). It is located at about 22 kms north of Sangkhlaburi town. In the ancient times, the pass has been the main land route into western part of Thailand. It is believed be the passage that Buddhist teachings reached Thailand from India in the 3rd century. According to Thai history during the Ayutthaya period (14th - 18th centuries), the pass was the main route for the Burmese invasion into Thailand, but was also occasionally used towards Burma by Thai armies. The three small pagodas or chedis were probably built at the end of the period as a symbol for peace. Nowadays, it has become a site of vital border market. Tourist attractions on the Burmese side include the locally made wooden furniture, jade carvings, and textiles. The border between Thailand and Myanmar. During World War II, Japanese with large amount of prisoners of war built the Death Railway from Kanchanaburi linking with another railway portion from Burma passing through this pass. There is a sculpture map of the railway showing the the railway joined on October 16, 1943 (see enlarged map at location 5). Sculpture map of Burma - Thailand Railway built during World War II.  Click to enlarge.

Large VDO :   HQ 4, 838 kB   This video was made from   several digital photos shot   during the trip in 2006.

 
Since : February 13, 2006, Latest update : May 4, 2009