Long-weekend crowds throng Sangkhla Buri

Long-weekend crowds throng Sangkhla Buri

Site of famous wooden bridge in Kanchanaburi busy again after months in the Covid doldrums

Tourists throng Saphan Mon, the country’s longest wooden bridge in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi on Saturday. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)
Tourists throng Saphan Mon, the country’s longest wooden bridge in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi on Saturday. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

KANCHANABURI: Tourists flocked to Sangkhla Buri on Saturday, with most hotels and resorts in the district witnessing impressive occupancy over the long holiday weekend after months in the doldrums because of Covid-19.

Many visitors got up early on Saturday morning to give alms to Buddhist monks at the Mon community of Ban Wangka Moo 2 in tambon Nong Lu. Many tourists chose to wear Mon traditional costume to create memorable photo opportunities.

The famous Uttamanusorn Bridge, known locally as Saphan Mon, is a magnet for visitors to the border district. Many thronged the country’s longest wooden bridge spanning the Song Kalia River on Saturday.

The arrival of tourists is helping to revive the local economy. Food and souvenir shops enjoyed good sales, after months of seeing very few customers because of pandemic-linked restrictions on travel.

Tourists were expected to generate at least 3 million baht for local businesses during the long weekend.

The provincial communicable disease control panel had earlier closed Sangkhla Buri district in order to keep a lid on Covid infections. However, conditions have improved and the number of cases has gradually dropped. Authorities eased restrictions on Oct 1 and many businesses resumed operating.

Local residents and businesses have strictly abided by the Covid-control measures and they are asking for cooperation from tourists to abide by those measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Besides the famous bridge, visitors were also travelling to other well-known attractions in Sangkhla Buri district including Wat Wangwiwekaram, the underwater temple, and the Three Pagodas Pass at the border with Myanmar.

Visitors, in traditional Mon costume, give alms to monks at the Saphan Mon bridge across the Song Kalia River in Sangkhla Buri. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

The arrival of tourists is welcome news to operators of local restaurants and shops. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

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