Memorial Bridge in Bangkok, Thailand
Posted by: 
sassainfl
N 13° 44.358 E 100° 29.847
47P E 661907 N 1519397
Truss bridge on the river Chao Phraya in Bangkok, Thailand.
Waymark Code: WME2WT
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 03/27/2012
Views: 5
The Memorial Bridge 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, 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.
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 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.
Date Built: 04/06/1932
Length of Span:
678 m
Parking Coordinates:: Not Listed
www: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Log your find with a picture of the bridge with yourself or your GPS in the foreground. This shot does not have to be taken "on" the bridge. The shot should show the "truss" structure of the bridge as well.