Three Pagodas Pass

ครู�จั�นทนา คาอน�กู�ล

Three Pagodas Pass (Thai: Three Pagodas Pass (Thai: ด่�านด่�านเจด่�ย์สามองค์เจด่�ย์สามองค์ pronounced Darn Chedi pronounced Darn Chedi

Sam Ong) is a pass through the Sam Ong) is a pass through the Bilauktaung Mountains on the border Bilauktaung Mountains on the border

between Thailand and Burma. The pass between Thailand and Burma. The pass links the town of Sangkhlaburi in the links the town of Sangkhlaburi in the

north of Kanchanaburi Province, north of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand to the town of Payathonsu in Thailand to the town of Payathonsu in

Burma.Burma.

This pass has been the main land This pass has been the main land route into western Thailand since route into western Thailand since

ancient times, and is believed be the ancient times, and is believed be the point at which Buddhist teachings point at which Buddhist teachings

reached the country from India in the reached the country from India in the 3rd century. During the Ayutthaya 3rd century. During the Ayutthaya period in Thai history (14th-18th period in Thai history (14th-18th

centuries), the pass was the main centuries), the pass was the main invasion route for the Burmese, but invasion route for the Burmese, but was also occasionally used in the was also occasionally used in the opposite direction by Thai armies. opposite direction by Thai armies.

The three small, crumbling The three small, crumbling pagodas, or chedis, after which the pagodas, or chedis, after which the

pass is named, were probably built at pass is named, were probably built at the end of this period as a symbol of the end of this period as a symbol of

peace. They are now on the Thai side of peace. They are now on the Thai side of the border. Parts of the border are still the border. Parts of the border are still

disputed.disputed.

During World War II, Japan built During World War II, Japan built the famous Death Railway through the the famous Death Railway through the

pass. There is a plaque here to pass. There is a plaque here to commemorate the Australian prisoners commemorate the Australian prisoners

of war who (with many other Allied of war who (with many other Allied soldiers and Asian civilians) died as soldiers and Asian civilians) died as

forced laborers during the building of forced laborers during the building of the railway.the railway.

The area is home to a number of The area is home to a number of mountain peoples, including Karens, mountain peoples, including Karens,

Mons and Burmese, who are unable or Mons and Burmese, who are unable or unwilling to obtain citizenship of either of unwilling to obtain citizenship of either of the neighboring countries. Since the end the neighboring countries. Since the end of World War II, there have been regular of World War II, there have been regular attempts by rebel armies to take control attempts by rebel armies to take control of the pass from Burma, with the Mon of the pass from Burma, with the Mon

group in effective control until 1990, when group in effective control until 1990, when Burma regained control. There are also Burma regained control. There are also occasional skirmishes between Karen occasional skirmishes between Karen

and Mon rebel groups.and Mon rebel groups.

Nowadays, the pass is popular Nowadays, the pass is popular with tourists who, subject to the with tourists who, subject to the

occasional hostilities between the two occasional hostilities between the two countries, are allowed to obtain a one-countries, are allowed to obtain a one-

day visa from the Thai side to visit day visa from the Thai side to visit Payathonzu. Tourist attractions on the Payathonzu. Tourist attractions on the Burmese side include the locally made Burmese side include the locally made wooden furniture, jade carvings, and wooden furniture, jade carvings, and

textiles.textiles.