Vajiralongkorn Lake
In Sangkhlaburi, it's worth hiring a local longboat for a tour of the northern section of the lake created by Vajiralongkorn Dam. The best time to go is early morning or just before sunset, when local fishermen are active. Soon after leaving Sangkhlaburi, you'll pass by the magnificent Mon Bridge and the Mon temple in Wang Kha. If the water level is low enough, you'll be able to view the semi-submerged ruins of Wat Saam Prasob, the highest point of the village that was flooded when the dam was built. The temple bell tower is usually visible above the lake any time of year except during the height of the monsoon; if the water is low enough, you will also be able to see the former ordination hall, a beautiful cube-like structure with thick brick walls covered in carved stucco. Towards the end of the dry season in March and April, the lake recedes to a point that a small island appears around the ordination hall, where you can disembark and explore the ruins. Boats can be hired for around B300 an hour. One or two hours is usually enough to see everything worth seeing.
