Sangkhla Buri: Swimming and Riverside Lunch in Kanchanaburi

2016-01-17 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

Right now, it's the Songkran festival in Thailand. The reason I chose to visit Thailand again, leaving behind countless countries I haven't been to, was because I wanted to run around the streets splashing water and shouting during Songkran. But right now, I'm just leisurely driving through a neighborhood without really knowing where I am. Since I don't know the destination, I don't really know what I'm looking at, and after sleeping the whole car ride, I'm just now starting to wonder why I'm even here. But right when those thoughts hit, they take me to a new place—it's truly a continuous cycle of carrots and sticks.

This time, the carrot is lunch by the water. Finally, some water play fitting for Songkran.

People resting on wooden platforms with thatched roofs built along the river — It might look like this, but it's a restaurant. They even rent out inner tubes.

Thatched-roof wooden platforms lined up along the river around a black sunshade

People resting and looking at the river while sitting on a wooden platform under a thatched roof — I told them how many people we had, and they guided us to room number 3. The way things work here is no different from Korea.

People riding tubes or enjoying playing in the river water — Naturally, the owners of this river are the little kids. It's mostly a combination of kids playing with their dads. Moms are in charge of the food.

People and a child holding a tube walking past a shabby building with a tin roof

People playing in the water and riding tubes in a tree-lined river, with wooden platforms lined up along the bank — The food took a while to come out, so I took a picture from the bridge. The water is muddy like the Bukhangang River valleys in Korea, so it isn't transparent.

Entrance with yellow flags and a sign written in Thai — I don't know if this is the name of the restaurant, the valley, or just a sign saying "Meals available~", but it's a sign pointing to this place.

People eating on riverside wooden platforms and people playing in the water — The food is here~ Kids around seven to ten years old are serving. They're all so cute, so people give them tips and help them out. Since they're helping their moms, everyone has a big smile.

Two people playing in the river water while holding a large black tube — This is 'Pi', the daughter of Goong's boss, who traveled with us this time. I'm hungry... stop playing and eat.

Various Thai foods including grilled chicken, papaya salad, and fried rice set on a mat — As always, it's a feast. I don't know if it's because I'm here or if they usually eat like this, but I'm always grateful. Plus, we always go to great restaurants. (Of course, the problem is my picky appetite.)

Thinly shredded papaya salad with peanuts and tomatoes — Som tam (papaya salad)

Appetizing grilled chicken pieces served on a plate — with chicken. Som tam and chicken are a really great match. However, unlike before, this som tam is incredibly spicy.

Spicy pork salad with onions and herbs served on a blue plate — Stir-fried pork. The gamey smell of the pork and the spicy aroma hit at the same time, which is pretty tough for me.

Large bowl of fried rice topped with cucumber slices and cilantro

Stir-fried minced meat and basil served over white rice — Two types of fried rice. Personally, the fried rice on the bottom was quite delicious.

Looking around while eating, I see a lot of large families with three or more kids. I don't know if it's just a feeling, but the atmosphere seems more family-oriented than back home, and the kids seem to be having more fun. Watching them splash around with a single inner tube, exactly like how we used to play when we were young, brings on a bit of nostalgia. Thinking about it, I realize I probably don't come to Thailand for its cultural heritage or buildings, but rather for these scenes and people that feel like something we've lost.

Adults and children enjoying playing in the river water — If all fathers were like this guy, there probably wouldn't be any wars.

Two black dogs lying down and resting in the shade under a wooden platform.

A black dog standing under a wooden platform with slippers, a basket, and water bottles placed nearby. — Once you finish eating, the dogs gather around. But they are well-trained and never climb up.

Two women kneeling in front of a monk in orange robes inside a temple. — As expected, we finish at a temple. That monk is a funny guy who gave us a big laugh when we ran into him again later.
They told me this was the place, but I wonder if it really is...