The bridge opened on 6 April 1932, by King
Prajadhipok (Rama VII) in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the
Chakri dynasty and the foundation of Bangkok, shortly before the
Siamese coup d'état of 24 June 1932. In English the bridge is commonly known as Memorial Bridge, however in Thai, it is most commonly known as
Phra Phutthayotfa Bridge (สะพานพระพุทธยอดฟ้า), after King
Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), the first king of the Chakri dynasty. The name is more commonly shortened as
Saphan Phut (สะพานพุทธ) or
Phut Bridge or
Buddha Bridge (meaning:
Bridge of Buddha). Construction of the bridge was started on 3 December 1929 The bridge used to have a double-leaf
bascule-type lifting mechanism, which is now unused. On 5 June 1944, as part of the
bombing of Bangkok in World War II, a force of
B-29 Superfortresses, in a test of their capabilities before being deployed against the
Japanese home islands, targeted the bridge. Their bombs fell over two kilometers away, damaging no civilian structures, but downed some
tram lines and destroyed a Japanese military hospital and the
Japanese secret police headquarters. It was not until 1947 that Thai authorities learned of the intended target. Eventually, it was taken out by the Allies and rebuilt in 1949. The entry ramp on the east side of the river contains
Memorial Bridge Pier (N6) for the
Chao Phraya Express Boat. Renovated in 2020 under the Marine Department's Smart Pier project, it features a blend of contemporary
Thai and
Western design. Passengers can enjoy clear views of the bridge and the nearby
Chao Phraya Sky Park. Although there is a ticket booth, the pier has no on-site staff, and tickets are purchased directly on the boat. A rapid transit station under construction,
Memorial Bridge MRT station of the
MRT Purple Line, is named after the bridge. However, it is located in the
Thonburi side. (whereas the Memorial Bridge pier is located in Phra Nakhon side) == Gallery ==