Let’s start with the basics, Mon Bridge is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand, it was constructed to transport people long in Sangkhlaburi and Mon Villagers.
The 400m wooden bridge was hand built, the bridge is a popular place to see an unforgettable sunset or sunrise at the river below.
We decided it was time for another adventure on the Kawasaki Versys, some friends had decided to spend the new year at Khao Laem national park in the camp grounds by the running creek. Arriving back to Ban Pong in the car late in the afternoon after a massive new years in Pattaya, we dumped our gear and quickly packed the bike up with bare essentials and our new tent, and fueled up for the 4 hour ride into the darkness.
The ride itself was a stark contrast to the previous morning, where we were sunbaking on Jomtein beach, now we were riding along shivering from the cold night air.
We arrived at 11.30pm, eager to put the tent up and grab some hot noodles to warm us up before getting some sleep. Once the dawn broke, we were amazed at just how many Thai locals decided this was a beautiful place to spend their weekends.
Our friends who we went to meet up with, has driven their in their car, so after some great morning coffee, it was time to head off for the main reason we came, to visit Mon Bridge.
Finding a car park in the narrow steep streets near Mon Bridge can be painful, especially when it is high tourist season, Mon locals walk the streets putting rocks under car tires as they park to ensure your car doesn’t accidentally roll down the hills and into the drink. The Mon people are an ethnic group from Burma (Myanmar), they speak a different language to the Thai’s so being able to thank them for their help is more a gesturing nature.
Walking down to the base of the bridge, you have the opportunity to walk out onto the river, on crudely built bamboo platforms, taking the time to actually get right out below the bridge gives you a true experience of the shear size of the bridge and also how crudely it has been constructed.
The streets surrounding the top of the bridge are filled with market stalls, selling local trinkets and food. Mon women will be seen walking the street carrying baskets balanced with ease on their heads as they negotiate the bustle of eager tourists.
Stepping out onto the bridge, Mon youths spend their time performing for the tourists by hurling themselves off the centre of the bridge into the river below. Now I have jumped off waterfalls at Huay Mae Khamin Falls, but jumping off Mon bridge takes some very big balls, which at my age seem to be well and truly gone.
The Mon kids will happily jump for free, but are also equally happy for you to give them 20THB for their efforts.
They will take the 20THB note, fold it up into a tight ball, and to ensure they don’t lose it when they hit the water below, they hide the money away in their mouth until they surface below.
Visiting Mon Bridge is definitely a must,but make sure if it fits in with your time to get their on sunrise to see the low cloud cover over the river and surrounding the bridge.
XJ Cherokee
HG Premier
Mon Bridge in Sangkhla Buri Thailand
