Rama VI Bridge
Rama VI Bridge (Thai: สะพานพระราม 6) is a railway bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Bang Sue and Bang Phlat. It was the first bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River and was initially both a railway (single track) and road (two lanes) bridge. Construction started in December 1922 during the reign of Rama VI to link the Northern and Eastern rail lines with the southern rail lines. It was officially opened on 1 January 1927. The bridge was severely damaged during World War II, and was thus repaired in 1950-1953 and officially reopened on 12 December 1953. Following the opening of the adjacent Rama VII Bridge in 1992 due to increase in traffic volumes, cars were diverted from Rama VI bridge and another railway track was laid in place of the road, making it a railway-only bridge. [1][2][3]
Rama VI Bridge สะพานพระราม ๖ | |
|---|---|
 View from east bank | |
| Coordinates | 13.813108°N 100.515826°E |
| Carries | 2 Railway tracks, pedestrians |
| Crosses | Chao Phraya River |
| Locale | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Official name | Saphan Phra Ram Hok |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | 5-span through-truss |
| Total length | 441.44 metres |
| Longest span | 120.00 metres |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1922 |
| Construction end | December 1926 |
| Opened | 1 January 1927 |
| Location | |
| |
The bridge is located 13 km from Hua Lamphong (Bangkok) railway station, between Bang Son and Bang Bamru stations. The bridge has 5 spans, all of the through-truss design: 77, 83, 120, 83 and 77 metres respectively, for a total length of 441 metres. It is thus the longest railway bridge in Thailand, almost 110 metres longer than its nearest rival, the 132 metre River Kwai bridge near Kanchanaburi.[3]
References
Bangkok Tourist Division (2004). "RAMA VI BRIDGE @ bangkoktourist.com". Archived from the original on 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
