Luang Road

Luang Road (Thai: ถนนหลวง, RTGS: Thanon Luang, pronounced [tʰā.nǒn lǔa̯ŋ]) is a road in downtown Bangkok, it runs in a short distance of just 1.8 km (1.1 mi).

The road starts at the corner of Ruan Cham junction from Maha Chai road in front of Special Bangkok Metropolitan Prison (present-day Bangkok Corrections Museum), and southeastward to Krung Kasem road in the area catty-corner from Bangkok railway station, also commonly known as Hua Lamphong railway station.^[1]

Its history begins in 1893, Prince Bidyalabh Pruethidhada, then minister of Public Works, suggested to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) that a new road be built between Charoen Krung and Bamrung Mueang roads, from the Suea Thayan Fort and reaching the road along the canal Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem (present-day Krung Kasem road) and passing the city moat Khlong Ong Ang to arrive at the road at the front of the Buddhist temple Wat Depsirin and end at the railway station. This road was to be named "Luang Road" which means "royal road"; it would facilitate people who wanted to board the train.^[1][2]

Although it is a short distance, Luang road is carried by two bridges—Raphi Phatthanaphak bridge at the beginning of the road. Its name was given by the king after the name of his son, Prince Raphi Phatthanasak. Assumed that the bridge was completed at the same time as the road in 1897. The bridge as seen today is the reinforced concrete restored bridge. The bridge walls have side curve and cast iron balustrade. At centre of the wall are inscriptions of the bridge's name and the year of restoration (1962). The bridge has metallic light poles at its four ends.^[3]

Raphi Phatthanaphak bridge is a bridge crossing Khlong Ong Ang, otherwise known as Khlong Rop Krung in the same line as Damrong Sathit, Bhanubandhu, Han, Bophit Phimuk and Osathanond bridges.^[3]

Another one—King Chulalongkorn had Nopphawong bridge built side by side with the road and he wanted it to be finished in time for his birthday celebration in December 1897, when the king would be the same age as his half-older brother Prince Nopphawong.^[4][2] It across Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem at the area where Prap Sattru Phai Fort used to be located. Nopphawong bridge had been renovated and modified several times.

Currently, Luang road is a one-way traffic street, similar to nearby Yaowarat road. The direction of traffic is from Nopphawong intersection, the five-way intersection, where it cuts across Krung Kasem and Mittraphan roads, at the foot of Nopphawong bridge on the northwest side up till reaching Ruan Cham junction. It passes by important places (apart from Wat Debsirin) include Phlapphla Chai intersection and Klang Hospital.^[1]