Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem

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View along the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem
Phitthayasathian Bridge of Thanon Charoen Krung over the Khlong

Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem ( Thai : คลอง ผดุง กรุงเกษม , roughly translated as "canal to preserve urban happiness") is a canal ( Khlong ) that is the third ring canal that surrounds the nucleus of today's Bangkok , the capital of Thailand .

history

The Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem was dug by Chinese wage laborers during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the years 1851-1854. It is the third ring canal, which flows parallel to the second ring canal ( Khlong Rop Krung ) around the "old town" of Bangkok, the so-called Rattanakosin Island.

It begins at today's Thewet Market, flows past today's UN building under Radschadamnoen Boulevard and past Hua Lamphong Central Station , until it forms the border of the Samphanthawong and Bang Rak districts next to today's Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel again in Mae Nam Chao Phraya ( Chao Phraya River ) flows into it.

Along the second ring canal, the Khlong Rop Krung, a city wall with 14 watchtowers ( pom ) was built at regular intervals for defense in 1783 . However, at the time of King Mongkut, a more modern time dawned through Western influence, in which conflicts with neighboring countries were resolved through diplomatic channels. Therefore, a city wall had become superfluous. The king had also noticed that the population of his capital had increased significantly, so that "the houses and residences of officials and citizens were mostly outside the city". The "137 Sen and 10 Wa" (5.5 km) long canal, then initially called "Khlong Kut Mai" or newly excavated canal , doubled the area of ​​the city, and it also made it easier to transport goods from the river to the warehouse of business people.

Old bridges

Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge over the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem

Numerous bridges ( Thai : สะพาน , Saphan ) were built across the canal . Initially, there were wooden structures that were called "camel hump bridges" (in Thai: elephant bridges - Saphan Chang ) because of their appearance , as they had to carry the weight of a fully grown elephant. Later they were replaced by more durable bridges made of concrete or metal, which still exist today after more than 100 years. However, they often had to be widened several times over the years, as they became too narrow for the increasingly heavy traffic.

  • Saphan Thewet Naruemit ( สะพาน เทเวศร์ นฤมิต ร - Thanon Samsen) - The original bridge at Thewet Market was built by order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1899. Just 30 years later it was replaced by a concrete bridge. In 1975 it got its present appearance, was widened and reinforced with reinforced concrete.
  • Saphan Witsukam Narueman ( สะพาน วิ ศ สุ กรรม นฤ มา น - Thanon Prachathipatai) - Built in 1901 by order of King Chulalongkorn, initially built as a wooden bridge with a cast iron balustrade, it was restored in 1967, widened and a roadway was made Reinforced concrete.
  • Saphan Makkhawan Rangsan ( สะพาน มัฆวาน รังสรรค์ - Thanon Ratchadamnoen Nok ) - When King Chulalongkorn ordered the construction of Ratchadamnoen Avenue in 1900 to connect the Sanam Luang with the new royal Dusit Gardens, the avenue was to become the European boulevards of the time Not inferior: wide, tree-lined roads and promenades for pedestrians. Where this new boulevard crossed the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, a new bridge was to be built to match the great character of the avenue. The new bridge was the Makawan Rangsun Bridge, which is still the most beautiful bridge in Bangkok today.
  • Saphan Charoen Sawat 36 ( สะพาน เจริญ สวัสดิ์ ๓๖ - Thanon Phra Ram 4 ) - One of the many camel hump bridges was originally located directly in front of the main train station in Hua Lamphong . It was called "Supradit Bridge". In 1915 King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) decided to demolish this bridge because of its poor condition and to build a new one, the Charoen Sawat 36 Bridge. It was inaugurated on December 30, 1916 (the "36" in the name stands for the age of the king at that time).
  • Saphan Phitthayasathian ( สะพานพิทย เสถียร- Thanon Charoen Krung / New Road) - Built in 1895 by the then chief engineer of the Ministry of Construction, Mr. Carlo Allegri.

Markets

There are also some interesting markets along the canal:

  • Thewet - flower market
  • Bo Be - mainly textiles, also a lot of second-hand goods
  • River City Complex - modern high-rise with many antique shops

literature

  • Sirichai Narumit: Old Bridges of Bangkok . The Siam Society, Bangkok 1977, OCLC 471626196 .

Coordinates: 13 ° 44 ′ 52 ″  N , 100 ° 31 ′ 0 ″  E