Phra Pin-klao Bridge


The Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge is a bridge near the Grand Palace over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. It links Rattanakosin Island with Thonburi.

Background

The bridge is named after Pinklao, vice-king of Siam, 1851–1866. In the project phase, the bridge was referred to as the Tha Chang Wang Na Bridge. In June 1973, it was renamed the Somdej Phra Pinklao Bridge in honour of Prince Pinklao.
The Chalerm Sawan 58 Bridge, along Saphan Siaw or "Crescent Bridge", had to be dismantled to make way for the new bridge.
Construction of the bridge started 4 August 1971. It was opened to traffic on 24 September 1973 by Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn. The bridge was built by the joint company Obayashi Gumi Ltd. and Sumitomo Construction Co. Ltd under the supervision of Swiss Engineering Project which acted as trustee for the Department of Public and Municipal Works.
The main drivers behind the construction of the bridge were:
The Sa-nga Phanit Co., Ltd. was the main contractor for the Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge extension over Khlong Khu Mueang Doem to match the new bridge system at a cost of 6,880,000 baht.
It is feared that the heavy traffic crossing Pinklao Bridge could cause structural damage to the old buildings on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Some residents expressed their desire in 2010 to have the bridge dismantled mainly due to the air and noise pollution it brings to the old quarter of Bangkok. The Cheonggyecheon project in Seoul is given as an example of the positive effects the dismantlement could have.