Chang Rong Si Bridge

Chang Rong Si Bridge (Thai: สะพานช้างโรงสี, Saphan Chang Rong Si) is a bridge and monument in the Rattanakosin Island area of Phra Nakhon District, the historic centre of Bangkok. The bridge spans Khlong Khu Mueang Doem, the old city moat, and is locate behind the Ministry of Defense and at the front corner of the Ministry of Interior. It signifies the beginning of Bamrung Mueang Road as it continues eastward from Kanlayana Maitri Road. Atsadang Road meets the bridge's eastern foot at the eponymous Saphan Chang Rong Si Intersection, while Rachini Road runs alongside the canal on the opposite side.

Chang Rong Si Bridge สะพานช้างโรงสี
The Bridge's Dog Head Sculpture.
Coordinates
Carries	Bamrung Mueang Road
Crosses	Khlong Khu Mueang Doem (Khlong Lot)
Locale	Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Sub-District, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand
Official name	Chang Rong Si Bridge
Other name(s)	Saphan Chang Rong Si Saphan Chang (Elephant Bridge)
Maintained by	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)

Its name, Saphan Chang Rongsi, translates as "elephant bridge at rice mill", due to leading war elephant troops into the inner city after the war in the early Rattanakosin period, and the nearby royal rice mill. It was originally a wooden bridge and there were three similar bridges which were later demolished.

Namesake intersection at the end of the bridge

During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the bridge was restored by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the chancellor of the interior, in 1910. The end pieces feature sculptures of dogs' heads that symbolise the year of the dog in the Chinese zodiac.[1]

Chang Rong Si was listed as a registered ancient monument of Bangkok in 1988.[2]

References

1. Pinijnakorn (2009-02-23). "สามแพร่ง...ทางแยกแห่งทวิภพ". TPBS (in Thai).
2. "รายงานการศึกษาโบราณสถานที่ขึ้นทะเบียนในกรุงเทพมหานคร ปี พ.ศ.๒๕๕๔" (PDF). BMA (in Thai).

External links

• "สะพานช้างโรงสี". Rattanakosin Island Information Center (in Thai).