Ubonrat Bridge, sometimes written as Ubolratana Bridge (, ) is a historic bridge spanning

Khlong Khu Mueang Doem Rattanakosin Island (, , ) is a historic area in the Phra Nakhon District in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River to the west and various canals to the east that were dug to serve as moats for what was originall ...

(old city moat) in

Rattanakosin Island Rattanakosin Island (, , ) is a historic area in the Phra Nakhon District in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River to the west and various canals to the east that were dug to serve as moats for what was originall ...

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

old town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

zone.

Background

The bridge was built in 1912 as a memorial to Princess

Ubolratana Narinaga Ubolratana Narinaga, Princess Argavoraraja KalyaFinestone, Jeffrey. ''The Royal Family of Thailand: The Descendants of King Chulalongkorn''. Bangkok : Phitsanulok Publishing, 1989, p. 65 (, , ), born Princess Bua Ladavalya (; ; 28 November 1846 � ...

, the consort of King

Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his death in 1910 was cha ...

(Rama V). It was built on a former bridge called "Hua Takae" (หัวตะเข้, ), which means "the head of a crocodile". The plaster banisters were designed in the Thai style with the name plate of the bridge set at the middle. It is now a recognised

ancient monument An ancient monument can refer to any early or historical manmade structure or architecture. Certain ancient monuments are of cultural importance for nations and become symbols of international recognition, including the Baalbek, ruins of Baalbek ...

since 1988 by the

Fine Arts Department The Fine Arts Department (, ) is a government department of Thailand, under the Ministry of Culture. Its mission is managing the country's cultural heritage. History The department was originally established by King Vajiravudh in 1912, split o ...

. It connects two roads running along Khlong Khu Mueang Doem: Atsadang and Rachini Roads. At either end of the bridge are two short roads named Phra Phiphit (west) and Phra Phithak (east), both named after sons of King

Phutthaloetla Naphalai Phutthaloetla Naphalai (born Chim; 24 February 1767 or 1768 – 21 July 1824), also known by his regnal name Rama II, was the second King of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father ...

(Rama II), who once had residences in the area during the early Rattanakosin period. This bridge, like nearby ones such as Mon Bridge, Saphan Hok, and Pi Kun Bridge, spans Khlong Khu Mueang Doem.

References

{{reflist 1912 establishments in Siam Bridges in Bangkok Phra Nakhon district Registered ancient monuments in Bangkok