Rama II Road

National Highway 35 shield}}
National Highway 35
ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 35
ถนนพระรามที่ 2
Rama II Road
Route information
Length84.041 km (52.221 mi)
Existed1973–present
Major junctions
Northeast endSuk Sawat Rd. in Chom Thong, Bangkok
Southwest endPhet Kasem Rd. in Pak Tho, Ratchaburi
Location
CountryThailand
Highway system
Rama II Road in the area of Samut Sakhon Province

Rama II Road (Thai: ถนนพระรามที่ 2, RTGS: Thanon Phra Ram Thi Song; usually shortened to ถนนพระราม 2, Thanon Phra Ram Song) or Highway 35 (ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 35, Thang Lauang Phaendin Mai Lek 35) is a road in Thailand heading towards the south. Rama II Road starts from Chom Thong District in the Thonburi side of Bangkok, passing through Bang Khun Thian District into Samut Sakhon Province. It then enters Samut Songkhram Province and terminates at a junction with Phet Kasem Road (Highway 4) in Ratchaburi Province, with a total distance of 84.041 kilometres (52.221 mi). The road is maintained by the Department of Highways.

Rama II Road was built during the government of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn with a total budget of approximately 419 million baht and was officially opened on 1 April 1973. It was named "Rama II" in honor of King Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II) of the Chakri dynasty, who was born in present-day Samut Songkhram Province.[1]

Construction began in 1970, divided into 3 phases:

  1. Thonburi to Samut Sakhon, a distance of 29 km, construction cost 180 million baht
  2. Samut Sakhon to Samut Songkhram, a distance of 36 km, construction cost 142 million baht
  3. Samut Songkhram to meet Phet Kasem Road at the km 125.5 in area of Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province, distance 19 km, along with Somdet Phra Phutthaloetla Naphalai Bridge, the bridge over Mae Klong River, including construction cost 99 million baht.

Upon its completion, the road became an important travel route which shortened the travel time to the south, bypassing Phet Kasem Road and helping to divert its traffic. A side effect of the road's construction was that the Maeklong Railway line became less frequented and unprofitable, but still could not be retired due to some villages remaining accessible only by train.[2]

However, there has been widespread criticism that Rama II Road is an "unfinished road" or "endless road" due to constant repairs and new construction projects from the 1970s until the present-day (2024), more than 50 years ago. Therefore, it resembles a road that was never completed. The impact of constant construction has led to many fatal accidents and traffic congestion problems. Including criticism that popular tourist destination like Hua Hin are lonely and empty of people. One reason is because people are tired of traffic jams on Rama II Road.[3][4]

  1. ^ Sangsuwanna, Saowalak (2018-07-10). "คนไทยควรรู้!! ไขข้อข้องใจ..ความเป็นมาของชื่อของ "สะพานพระราม..." และชื่อถนน...ในย่านสำคัญของสยาม!!" [Thais should know !! Explaining the origin of the name "Rama" Bridge ...and Street ...in important areas of Siam!!]. Tnews (in Thai). Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  2. ^ Nakthong, Kittinan (2017-10-14). "ย้อนรอย "ถนนพระราม 2" ทางหลวงสายมรณะ 419 ล้านบาท" [Retracing "Rama II Road", the 419 million baht Death Highway]. Manager Daily (in Thai). Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  3. ^ "Rama II Road". Thai PBS. 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  4. ^ Yonpiam, Chairith (2024-02-26). "Jams on Rama II blamed for Hua Hin's decline". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-02.