The Sunken Temple in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand

2016-03-13 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

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

They say the map of Sangkhlaburi looks quite different today than it did in the past. The construction of a dam created Vajiralongkorn Lake, submerging what used to be dry land. The temples, forests, and villages that were there at the time were all buried underwater. (Of course, this was a planned government project, so everyone evacuated beforehand. No need for gloomy thoughts!) The "Sunken Temple" we're taking a boat to see today is the most famous of them all.

Naturally, my Thai friends took care of renting the boat. Because of that, I'm not exactly sure how much it cost, but I think it was around 300 THB. Even at a glance, it's a crudely made boat that reeks of gasoline, but that actually makes the ride even more fun. It's just like how the creaky Viking ship ride at Wolmido (an amusement park in Korea) is the most thrilling. Plus, everyone has a life jacket right next to them, but nobody wears one. Adding thrill upon thrill, I guess. Anyway, the boat ride there is incredibly fun.

Backs of people boarding a boat — Before departure

People smiling while riding a boat — Goong taking the wheel, saying he wanted to try driving. Mr. Driver... I don't think this is the time to be smiling, or is it just me?

A wide river and distant mountains seen over the bow of a boat

Dry tree trunks rising above the water and misty mountains — Since this area was flooded when the dam was built, you can see trees sticking out of the water like this.

A rectangular concrete building half-submerged in water

A submerged concrete building getting closer

Front of the submerged building, showing several rectangular windows and doors

Side of the submerged building, an old exterior wall with exposed bricks — The Sunken Temple. There are actually several temples, and depending on whether it's the dry or rainy season, the lake's water level changes, revealing different buildings.

After about a 20-minute boat ride, we arrived at an island in the middle of the lake. I'm not sure if this island gets completely submerged during the rainy season, but judging by how the trees only grow up to a certain line, you can guess that it does.

People walking or taking pictures in a wide field with a forest in the background.

Several longtail boats moored by the river and people standing around them. — Most of the boats share the same route. So you just need to negotiate a good price.

Three young children walking along a dirt path next to a field with burn marks. — The babies are humming and playing, happy about who knows what.

A Buddha statue seen through the window gap of an old, ruined building.

People gathered and praying in front of an old Buddha statue draped in yellow cloth. — The centerpiece of this boat tour is also a temple. It's a unique itinerary where you visit a temple visible during the dry season to pray to the Buddha statue.

Several boats moored at the edge of a large lake with people getting on and off. — When it's time, everyone rushes off together to the next temple.

Lake scenery and old temple buildings by the water seen from a boat.

People walking toward a temple building through an old arched doorway with exposed bricks.

A Buddha head placed in front of an old brick building and an altar decorated with colorful cloth

An old stone wall densely embedded with numerous small Buddha carvings

An old temple building standing alone in a field by a drained lake

A child climbing barefoot on a crumbling red brick wall — A promising young Thai climber

It takes almost an hour to stop by these three temples. There aren't really any places selling food, but you can buy drinks from makeshift stalls. The boat ride itself is quite fun, and if you explain it well, they might let you drive for a short stretch. Most of them speak some English, but not fluently, so you have to speak slowly using simple words. (My English is at exactly that level, so we communicated perfectly.) Seeing the submerged buildings and the ones that have resurfaced gives you a slightly eerie feeling. Even though I didn't pay for it myself, it was such a worthwhile tour that I wouldn't have regretted spending the money.

Piers of a massive wooden bridge seen from the bow of a wooden boat

The underside of a massive wooden bridge supported by numerous intertwined wooden pillars

A long, high wooden bridge crossing the river and buildings on the hill beyond

Inside a long, straight pedestrian bridge with a red roof and pillars — Now it's a real goodbye to the Mon Bridge.