Learning Thai Language

Title	All terms
I caught her with another man	Love and relationships
Isetan (Central World) opened for business as usual	Business, Shops and shopping
Holding back the urge to visit the toilet
Noun classifiers: amulets	Specific classifiers
Noun classifiers: airplanes	Specific classifiers
I'll tell you if you make a mistake when speaking	School and college, Teaching
I need to defecate	Bathroom
The police haven't proved that he is a thief	Crime and punishment
Beware (or watch out)	Traffic and transport, Warnings
His leg is broken	Accidents and medical

Rama 8 Bridge (Saphan Phra Ram 8)

Bridges and roadways

Rama 8 Bridge (Thai: สะพานพระราม ๘) pronounced sà-paan prá-raam bpàet, is a single tower cable-stayed bridge that spans the Chao Phraya River. Elegantly designed, this bridge joins Bang Plat and Phra Nakhon districts of Bangkok.

Rama 8 Bridge viewed from the Chao Phraya Express Boat Service

Rama 8 Bridge single tower and cable stays

The total length of the bridge is 475 meters, and the main span measures 300 meters. The gray concrete tower (wrapped with two smaller bands of yellow) measures 160 meters and supports cable stays which appear to be sheathed in yellow plastic. The bridge carries four lanes of road traffic and has pedestrian walkways on both sides. At night, the towers and cable stays are brightly lit, making it one of the most prominent structures in this area.

Single tower design and cable stays of Rama 8 Bridge

Other nearby bridges include Krung Thon Bridge (approx. 1.45 KM upstream) and Phra Pinklao Bridge (approx. 1 KM downstream).

Construction contract

The Design/Build contract was awarded to a Joint Venture headed by China State Construction & Engineering Co. with engineering services provided by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Ltd. (site inspection and geotechnical design) and Buckland & Taylor Ltd. (cable-stayed bridge design).

Large covered area under Rama 8 bridge used for sport and aerobics

Things to do

On the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, the bridge spans an immaculate recreation area alongside Rama 8 Park. Football and aerobics are popular activities here, and it is a popular place for Thai teenagers to hang out and do the things that all teenagers like to do.

Large and exceptionally clean covered area under Rama 8 Bridge

Thai teenagers sit under Rama 8 Bridge

Thai teenagers hang out under Rama 8 Bridge

Few people walk or cycle across the bridge although it’s easy to do so. The bridge affords excellent views across of the Chao Phraya River and the city.

Views of the Chao Phra River from Rama 8 Bridge - bright spotlight in foreground

Eastern side

The eastern side of the bridge (Phra Nakhon District) is much quieter and appears to have no recreational facilities; in the late evenings, this area can be deserted and may be worth avoiding.

Going down the staircase on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya river Rama 8 Bridge