Chaliam Lok 55 bridge, bridge in Bangkok, Thailand
The Chaliam Lok 55 bridge is a road bridge in Bangkok that spans the Khlong Saen Saep canal, carrying traffic between the Lumphini area and nearby neighborhoods. It has a simple concrete structure with arched supports and shows signs of repair work done at different periods, with railings that vary in appearance from side to side.
The bridge was built as part of a tradition where the king funded a new bridge each year to celebrate his birthday, known as the Chalerm Bridge Series. This practice began in the late 19th century, and the bridge numbered 55 is one of the few original structures from this series still standing in Bangkok today.
The bridge is part of daily life in the Lumphini area, connecting neighborhoods that many residents and visitors cross regularly. Markets and shops surrounding it create a busy local scene where people stop for groceries or snacks on their way through the city.
The bridge is straightforward to cross on foot or by car and sits on a main road where both vehicles and pedestrians pass regularly. The best time to cross is outside rush hours in the early morning or late afternoon, when traffic is lighter and you can get a clearer view of the canal below.
Only a handful of the original Chalerm Bridge Series from the late 1800s survive today, making Chaliam Lok 55 a rare remnant of a royal tradition. If you look closely, you can spot small signs of age like surface discoloration that tell stories of decades of daily use by countless people.
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