Wat Tai Nam, also known as "Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Old)," is one of the most historically and spiritually significant sites for the Mon community in Sangkhlaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province. Founded in 1953 by Phra Khru Uttama (Luang Pho Uttama) in collaboration with local Mon and Karen people, the area was historically a center of community, education, and religion for diverse ethnic groups along the Songkalia River. The original temple was located in an area called "Sam Prasop," the confluence of several rivers, making it a crucial location for the traditional settlements of the Thai-Myanmar border communities.

Later, during the 1980s–1984s, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) constructed the Khao Laem Dam (now Vajiralongkorn Dam) to generate electricity and manage water resources in the Mae Klong River basin. The dam's construction permanently flooded the lowlands of Sangkhlaburi District, including the original Mon village and Wat Wang Wiwekaram. Many people were forced to relocate to higher ground, while the original temple and its structures gradually sank, becoming the "underwater city" we see today.

Today, the underwater temple has become a unique historical tourist attraction. Tourists must take a longtail boat from the Mon Bridge area or the pier in Sangkhlaburi to visit the ruins of the temple in the middle of the reservoir. During the dry season (approximately March to April, or sometimes extending to May), the water level drops, revealing the structure of the main chapel and allowing access to parts of the interior. However, during the rainy season, most of the area is submerged, with only the top of the pagoda or bell tower protruding above the water, creating a distinctive and iconic image of Sangkhlaburi.

Even though the temple is submerged, the community's faith continues. A new Wat Wang Wiwekaram temple has been built on a hill to serve as a spiritual center for the Mon people in the area. At the same time, the underwater temple continues to serve as a memorial, reflecting the changes in the landscape caused by large-scale development projects and the inseparable relationship between humans and nature.

• From Sangkhlaburi town, visitors must take a long-tail boat from the piers near the Mon Bridge or Songkalia Bridge. Private boat charters for approximately 6 passengers usually cost between 300 - 500 THB, depending on the number of temple sites visited.

• Check water levels before visiting to match your preferred experience

• Visit during the dry season (March–May) if you want to walk inside the temple

• Visit late rainy season for the most mystical “floating temple” scenery

• Sharing a private long-tail boat is cheaper for groups

Admission Fees:

• No admission fee for the site (only costs for the boat charter).

Opening Hours:

• Boats are available daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Early morning or late afternoon trips are recommended to avoid the midday heat.