Rama IX Bridge
On opening day in 1987, a million people walked across Thailand's first cable-stayed bridge — built to mark King Bhumibol's 60th birthday.
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When it opened, the 450-meter main span was the second-longest cable-stayed span in the world. In 2006 the original white-and-black color scheme was replaced entirely with yellow to represent the king. A new parallel bridge opened December 2024, making this a rare window to see Rama IX before it closes for renovation.
What to look for
- All-yellow pylons and cables — the cables range from 50 to 223 meters long and can each absorb 1,500–3,000 tons of tension
- The trapezoid main span, 33 meters wide, with a pedestrian walkway running along its side
- The new Thotsamarachan Bridge running parallel, its twin pylons a direct visual echo of Rama IX's own two masts
The bridge has a pedestrian walkway along its side; renovation including a new sensor system is planned once Thotsamarachan carries the traffic load.
Rama IX Bridge is one of 38 sights worth the detour in Bangkok, all bundled offline in Voyage GO — download the Bangkok pack and it sits on your map with no signal, filling your travel passport the moment you walk past.
More to see in Bangkok
- Grand PalaceIn 1782 a king moved his entire capital from Thonburi to Bangkok and built this walled city — Thailand's seat of power for the next 143 years.
- Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)Every Thai king since 1783 has personally added to this temple — and the reigning king still presides over state ceremonies here today.
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)Named for Aruna — the Hindu charioteer who drives the sun at dawn — this riverside spire was built to face the light it honors.
- Baiyoke Tower IIBangkok's tallest hotel stacks an observatory, a bar, and a revolving roof deck across three floors at 309 metres.
- BTS SkytrainBangkok sits in chronic gridlock — three elevated lines run above it on 70 kilometers of track connecting the city end to end.
- Rajamangala National StadiumThailand's largest stadium swells like a concrete wave — narrow at each end, rising steeply until the stands crest exactly at the halfway line.