Chulachomklao bridge, Railway bridge in Tha Kham, Thailand
Chulachomklao Bridge spans the Tapi River with a three-section steel truss structure that carries railway tracks alongside pedestrian paths. The framework shows the robust engineering style typical of railway bridges built in that era.
The structure opened in 1916 and has served as a key railway connection through southern Thailand ever since. Wartime bombing heavily damaged it, requiring a complete reconstruction that took place from 1952 to 1953.
The bridge carries the name of King Chulalongkorn, a ruler who steered Thailand toward progress through railway construction. This naming reflects how transportation shaped the nation's development during that time.
The bridge sits about 1 mile (1.3 kilometers) from Surat Thani Railway Station and serves as a key hub for train connections in the region. Visitors can walk across the pedestrian section and view the structure from different angles.
The bridge retains an unused roadway section that dates back to its original design. This abandoned driving lane shows how the structure's purpose shifted over the decades.
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