September 24, 1973
Phra Pin Klao Bridge, which crosses the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, made its debut. This 2,158-foot (658-meter)-long structure serves as a link between the areas of Rattanakosin Island and Thonburi in Thailand’s capital and most populous city. Phra Pin Klao Bridge accommodates both motor vehicles and pedestrians. This bridge is located near the Grand Palance, which has been the official residence of the country’s royalty since 1782. Construction on the bridge began on August 4, 1971. Swiss Engineering Project AG, as a trustee of Thailand’s Department of Public and Municipal Works, supervised that project.
Phra Pin Klao Bridge was named after a prominent member of the royal family of Siam (the formal designation of Thailand until 1939 and then between 1946 and 1948). Phra Pin Klao (1808-1866) was the younger brother of Rama IV (1804-1868), who reigned as king of Siam from 1851 until his death. (Rama IV – also known as Mongkut – became the inspiration for the Siamese monarch featured in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I.) Rama IV appointed Phra Pin Klao as viceroy of Siam. This appointment effectively made Phra Pin Klao second only to his brother as the highest-ranking official in the kingdom.
Photo Credit: Preecha.MJ (licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
For more information on Phra Pin Klao Bridge, please check out https://structurae.net/en/structures/phra-pin-klao-bridge
Additional information on crossings of the Chao Phraya River is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Chao_Phraya_River
Transportation History 
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