This temple, located about fifty kilometers from Kanchanaburi, is particularly interesting because, as its name suggests, it is shaped like a boat on a pond. The golden prow of this swan-shaped vessel, reminiscent of the most magnificent royal barges, is a particularly photogenic subject. There are two entrances for boarding. The more impressive is guarded by Phu Rahu, the demon of lunar and solar eclipses, with a black body and a large face devouring the moon. Beyond this is a long corridor, and on the upper bridge is a shrine containing a revered Buddha statue (Luangpho Yai Ong Dam) and celestial depictions. There, one also finds a large statue of a monk and a traditional ordination hall. Legend has it that a very pious man, born in the area but working elsewhere, came to pray to Luangpho Yai Ong Dam, and his prayers were answered. Out of gratitude, he decided to rebuild Wat Sa Long Ruea and make it an important cultural heritage site of the province of Kanchanaburi.

I don't know if there are local buses to Wat Sa Long Ruea. It's located on Route 3443. Perhaps it's possible to take a bus there from Kanchanaburi. While it's certainly worth seeing, the best way to get there still needs to be determined. Especially since there are other interesting temples within a 15-20 kilometer radius, some of them in the neighboring province of Suphanburi.

Wat Sa Long Ruea is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Sa Long Ruea? I don't know if there are local buses. It's located on Route 3443. Perhaps a bus goes there from Kanchanaburi. You can visit it once you're there, but the best way to get there is still unclear. There are other interesting temples within a 15-20 kilometer radius, some of them in the neighboring province of Suphanburi.