The Three Pagodas Pass was for centuries along the main land route between India and South East Asia. The strategic location was last exploited by the Japanese during World War II, who used POW labor to build the infamous Death Railway to ferry supplies across.
'''From Thailand''': the nearest major town is Kanchanaburi. There are frequent bus services from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi (4-5 hours), from where you can continue by pickup truck (30-40 min, departures hourly).
'''From Myanmar''': the nearest town is Payathonzu, however foreigners can only get there from Thailand via Three Pagodas Pass, can only leave by returning to Thailand via Three Pagodas Pass, and cannot stay in Payathonzu overnight.
At the final songthaew stop either walk (head for the Three Pagodas and then turn right) or take a motorbike to the border (you'll be very limited in what you'll be able to visit without a motorbike). As of November 2008, it is not possible to enter Burma at this border crossing, but things can easily change. The following describes the situation when the border is open.
At the Thai border you need a photocopy of your passport and 2 passport photos; your passport will be held at the checkpoint, and you must return on the same day. At the Myanmar checkpoint you need US$10 (if paying with US$ notes) or 500 baht (if paying with Thai currency) - therefore it's best to change some baht to US$ before leaving Kanchanaburi. There are no banks here, the nearest (Siam Commercial Bank) is back in Sangkhlaburi. You only need US$ for the Myanmar entry permit - once in Myanmar, Thai baht is accepted for everything else.
Back at the border your passport will be returned and you can head back the same way back as you came. There is also the possibility to take a bus directly from Kanchanaburi to the Three Pagodas Pass. Note that you will not receive any passport stamps (neither Thai exit or entry stamps, nor Myanmar entry or exit stamps) - hence this border crossing cannot be used for "visa runs".
The Thai side of the pass consists of the three smallish chedi, a couple of shrines, a market oriented around Burmese goods (carved wood, gems, textiles), and the border gate to Myanmar.
In Myanmar you can take a look at a few temples as well as a market. None is really in any way very special. However there is one temple that is up on a hill, from where you get a great view across the border land.
On 3 may 2008 the border was closed for crossing.
Burmese wooden furniture, jade carvings, and textiles are popular purchases.
Just before the Three Pagodas themselves there is a resort with a restaurant attached but this was not open in February 2008.
The area around the pass has occasionally been the site of skirmishes between the Myanmarese army and various Karen and Mon rebel groups. However, any such activity will mean that the pass is closed, so risk to tourists is minimal.
The Burmese side of the border is a dead end for tourists, so the only way out is back to Thailand.