The Taksin Bridge ( th, สะพานสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช, , ; usually abbreviated to simply , ), or commonly known as Sathon Bridge (, , ) is a bridge crossing the
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya ( or ; th, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, , or ) is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.
Et ...
in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...
,
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
.
History
It is the sixth bridge built across the Chao Phraya River to link
Sathon
Sathon or Sathorn ( th, สาทร, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts (from north clockwise): Bang Rak, Pathum Wan, Khlong Toei, Yan Nawa, Bang Kho Laem, and Khlon ...
and Krung Thon Buri Roads in
Thonburi
__NOTOC__
Thonburi ( th, ธนบุรี) is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is ...
side (after
Rama VI Bridge
Rama VI Bridge ( th, สะพานพระราม 6, , ) is a railway bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Bang Sue and Bang Phlat. It is the first bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River and w ...
,
Memorial Bridge,
Krung Thon Bridge
Krung Thon Bridge ( th, สะพานกรุงธน, , ) is a bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Dusit and Bang Phlat. The bridge has 6 spans, and consists of a steel superstructure resti ...
,
Krungthep Bridge
The Krungthep Bridge ( th, สะพานกรุงเทพ, , ) is a bascule bridge (drawbridge) spanning the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thail ...
,
Phra Pin Klao Bridge
The Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge ( th, สะพานสมเด็จพระปิ่นเกล้า, , ) is a bridge near the Grand Palace over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. It links Rattanakosin Island with Thonburi.
Backg ...
, chronologically). His Majesty the King
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej ( th, ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; ; ; (Sanskrit: ''bhūmi·bala atulya·teja'' - "might of the land, unparalleled brilliance"); 5 December 192713 October 2016), conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great ...
(Rama IX) presided over the opening ceremony of the bridge on 6 May 1982 on the occasion of
Rattanakosin's 200th anniversary. The bridge was named in honours King
Taksin
King Taksin the Great ( th, สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช, , ) or the King of Thonburi ( th, สมเด็จพระเจ้ากรุงธนบุรี, ; ; Teochew dialect, Teochew: Dên ...
, the founder and ruler of
Thonburi Kingdom
The Thonburi Kingdom ( th, ธนบุรี) was a major Thai people, Siamese kingdom which existed in Southeast Asia from 1767 to 1782, centered around the city of Thonburi, in Siam or present-day Thailand. The kingdom was founded by Taksin ...
.
Before the construction of the bridge, the Chao Phraya River was crowded with huge ocean-going
steamers, cargo ships, and passenger ships passing up river to the port in the north of Bangkok. After completion of the bridge, the port was moved to the south at
Bangkok Port
Bangkok Port ( th, ท่าเรือกรุงเทพ) (BKP), popularly known as Khlong Toei Port (), is an international port on the Chao Phraya River in Khlong Toei District of the Thai capital city, Bangkok. It is operated by the Port Au ...
, also known as Khlong Toei Port.
Characteristics
The bridge was designed with a large gap between opposing traffic directions to accommodate a canceled mass transit system. The disused foundations were eventually adapted for the
BTS Skytrain
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain ( th, รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส '' TS'), is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a ...
, with train services across the bridge beginning on 5 December 1999.
left, under the bridge (seen from Sathorn Pier)
The entry ramp on the east side of the river contains the
Saphan Taksin BTS Station
Saphan Taksin station ( th, สถานีสะพานตากสิน) is a BTS skytrain station, on the Silom Line in Sathon and Bang Rak Districts, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located at the entry ramp of Taksin Bridge, below Sat ...
as well as
Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier ( th, ท่าสาทร), with designated pier code/number CEN, is a major pier on the Chao Phraya River located beneath the Taksin Bridge, Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
It is the main pier for the Chao Phraya Express Boat ...
for the
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat ( th, เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา ''Ruea Duan Chao Phraya'') is a transportation service in Thailand operating on the Chao Phraya River. It provides riverine express transportation between stop ...
.
See also
*
Saphan Taksin BTS Station
Saphan Taksin station ( th, สถานีสะพานตากสิน) is a BTS skytrain station, on the Silom Line in Sathon and Bang Rak Districts, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located at the entry ramp of Taksin Bridge, below Sat ...
References
External links
Taksin BridgeBureau of Maintenance and Traffic Safety, Thailand. Retrieved on 31 December 2007
Road bridges in Bangkok
Bridges completed in 1982
Crossings of the Chao Phraya River
BTS Skytrain
1982 establishments in Thailand
{{Bangkok-stub
