Saphan Phut and the Memorial bridge

[Bangyai]

Another interesting central area for a stroll is around the double bridge of Saphan Poot and the Memorial bridge. Saphan Poots official name is the Prapokglao bridge but most people know it as the former.




Walking down Chakkrawat Road from Yaowarat you come to a small canal on your left



At the end of which there is a small footbridge crossing to the opposite bank




On the other side there is a river front restaurant which opens at 4.00 p.m.




I've eaten here a couple of times and although nothing special it was reasonable and if you get there about 6.00 p.m. you might have chance of getting a table right on the river. What looks interesting is the 3rd floor bar next to it.







Never had a drink here yet but it must get pretty packed in the evening with young people since it's right up against the Saphan Poot market. Nice view of the
Guan U shrine across the river too, another place I have yet to explore.




Crossing the little bridge again and continuing around the bend , this whole area is a large market at night with clothing stalls on either side of the road.






A video showing the night market :



In daytime you can see the bridge but at night the bank is taken up with vendors blocking the view




Looking back towards the restaurant you can see way down the river







Between the two bridges is a stop for the river taxi/bus if you want to head up to Nonthaburi or down to Sathorn.





Once you pass under Saphan Poot you can see the adjacent Memorial bridge






There's also a bus terminal of sorts under the bridge from where several routes begin their route.

[Bangyai]

Going up the steps under the bridge will lead you to the road and memorial







A fine old bridge too and well maintained



The memorial from profile

[Bangyai]

Time for some blurb :

The Memorial Bridge (Thai: สะพานปฐมบรมราชานุสรณ์) is a bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Phra Nakhon and Thonburi.
The bridge was opened on 6 April 1932, by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Chakri Dynasty and the foundation of Bangkok, shortly before the Siamese Coup d'état on 24 June 1932. In English the bridge is commonly known as Memorial Bridge, however in Thai it is most commonly known as Phra Phutta Yodfa Bridge (สะพานพระพุทธยอดฟ้า), after King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), the first king of the Chakri Dynasty.
Construction of the bridge was started on 3 December 1929 by Dorman Long, Middlesbrough, England. The bridge used to have a moving mechanism, which is now disused.[1]
On 5 June 1944 as part of the bombing of Bangkok in World War II, a force of B-29 Superfortresses, in a test of their capabilities before being deployed against the Japanese home islands, were targeted against the bridge. The bombs fell over two kilometres away damaging no civilian structures, but downed some tram lines and destroyed a Japanese military hospital and the Japanese secret police headquarters. It was not until 1947 that Thai authorities learned of the intended target.

More interesting stuff here :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11401580@N03/3026692967/

Walking down the approach ramp will bring you to the plaza in front of Rama I's
statue.

[Bangyai]

Opposite the plaza is



And by holding the camera up there is a picture of the temple





Since I now know the construction of the temple was funded by a Chinese merchant it came as no surprise to find a small Chinese shrine inside the temple grounds



Right next to the Kornonacob stupa

[Bangyai]

Walking up Chakphet road you will pass the office of the Constitutional Court




There is a lot more to see in this area such as the flower market at Pak Khlong Talad along the continuation of Chakphet Road





but as usual I was in a hurry to get my supplies as I also wanted to visit Khlong Thom market on the way out of the area. Those racey photos will have to wait for another thread though.

[storm1fishing]

Thanks for the thread and great pictures as well.

[natalie8]

Yet another great picture thread from you, Bangyai. I never saw it the first time around for some strange reason. I've also never been to that part of BKK, but after seeing this thread, I would love to go and see it for myself.