Three Pagodas Pass, Kanchanaburi, Thailand | Thailand–Myanmar Border
There are some places you visit because they’re famous. Others become memorable because something completely unexpected happens. This road trip to Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, was supposed to be a fairly straightforward excursion to one of Thailand’s most interesting border areas.
Instead, I ended up standing in Burma (Myanmar), being told to get back into Thailand, meeting a Burmese monk, receiving fresh fruit from two Thai women, and stumbling upon a traditional monk-making celebration on the drive home. It turned out to be one of those travel days that is impossible to plan.
Driving to Three Pagodas Pass
The journey to Three Pagodas Pass was part of the adventure. We drove through the countryside of western Thailand, where the road itself provided plenty of things to see. One of our first memorable sights was a reclining Buddha, a familiar but always impressive sight when traveling through Thailand. We passed an extremely overloaded pickup truck that looked as though someone had decided to see just how much cargo could possibly be squeezed onto a single vehicle.
Not long afterward, we saw another pickup carrying several monks in the back. These are the sorts of scenes that make a Thailand road trip so much fun. You can set out with a destination in mind, but there is no telling what you’ll encounter along the way.
Arriving at Three Pagodas Pass
Eventually, we reached Three Pagodas Pass, a historic mountain pass on the Thailand–Myanmar border.
The pass takes its name from the three small pagodas located near the border. The area has long been an important route between what is now Thailand and Myanmar, and its location gives it a distinctly different atmosphere from many of Thailand’s better-known destinations. We walked around the area surrounding the three pagodas and explored the border zone. And then I decided to take a closer look at the international boundary.
I Actually Walked Into Burma
This is not a border where you get your passport stamped. There are no tourists or other people crossing. The border here is mainly for large cargo trucks and we saw just 1 or 2 pass thru during our time there. There’s something strangely exciting about standing next to an international border and realizing that another country is literally just a few steps away. So I took those steps.
I walked across the border and into Burma (Myanmar). It was a brief international excursion.
As I am milling about with my GoPro, a Thai border guard loudly made it clear that I needed to return to Thailand and turn of my camera immediately! I turned off my camera, so the actual encounter isn’t captured on video.
But my girlfriend was permitted to take a photograph of me standing in Burma. So, I have photographic proof that I made it across. This wasn’t intended to be some elaborate border-crossing stunt. It was simply one of those spontaneous travel moments where curiosity gets the better of you.
And it certainly made our visit to Three Pagodas Pass more memorable.
Exploring the Thailand-Myanmar Border Area
Back on the Thai side, we explored the duty-free shopping area near the border. The shops and market area have a different character from the large tourist markets you’ll find elsewhere in Thailand. Being right next to an international border gives the area a fascinating mix of Thai and Burmese influences.
We wandered around, looked at the merchandise and took in the atmosphere. But once again, it was the people – not the shopping – that provided one of the highlights of our visit.
An Unexpected Meeting With a Burmese Monk
While exploring the border area, we met a female Burmese monk. Naturally, we wanted to remember the encounter with a photograph. I offered her 20 baht (sixty USD cents) to take a picture with her, and she was very happy to oblige. It was a small, spontaneous interaction, but it made for a memorable travel photo and another unusual moment from our visit to Three Pagodas Pass.
We also met two friendly Thai women who gave us some fresh fruit. It was an unexpected and generous gesture, and another reminder that some of the most enjoyable moments while traveling come from brief encounters with people you would otherwise never have met.
These weren’t scheduled stops or things we’d read about in a guidebook. They simply happened as we wandered around the border area – and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about traveling.
A Thai Monk-Making Celebration
We eventually left Three Pagodas Pass and began the drive back. But the day still had one more surprise. Along the road, we encountered a procession celebrating someone who was becoming a monk that day. There were revelers and plenty of activity as the celebration moved along the road.
After spending part of the day at an international border, it was a wonderful way to finish the journey – a glimpse of everyday Thai culture that we would never have seen if we’d simply driven straight through.
Why Visit Three Pagodas Pass?
If you’re traveling through Kanchanaburi Province, Three Pagodas Pass is worth considering if you’re looking for something beyond the usual tourist attractions.
It’s particularly interesting for travelers who enjoy:
- Thailand road trips
- Historic border areas
- Thailand’s relationship with Myanmar
- Temples and Buddhist culture
- Local markets and duty-free shopping
- Off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Unexpected encounters with local people
- Unusual travel experiences
It’s also a reminder that some destinations aren’t necessarily about spending hours at one attraction. The journey, the border area, the people you meet and the unexpected things happening around you can be just as interesting.
One Step Across a Border, A Whole Lot of Memories
Our trip to Three Pagodas Pass turned into far more than a visit to three pagodas. And, yes, I briefly walked into Burma. I didn’t stay there very long. But sometimes a few steps are all it takes to create a great travel story.
Three Pagodas Pass may have been our destination, but the unexpected moments along the way were what made the journey unforgettable.