A bridge over troubled waters gets a makeover

[webfact]

(Photo by Sirinya Wattanasukchai)

 

The scene is hardly unfamiliar: youngsters taking selfies, a couple in full wedding attire posing for photos before their big day, groups of friends all wearing face masks, having fun in the open air. They are not in a park, however, but interestingly have flocked to Bangkok’s first skywalk, which despite having been open for two decades, has always been underused.

 

Once almost a twilight zone for Bangkok residents, the Green Bridge will soon be upgraded and is set to become the next hotspot for the general public and residents of the nearby community to enjoy.

 

Built in 2000, the bridge is the city’s first skywalk and connects the Sarasin Intersection near Lumpini Park with Soi Rong-ngan Yasoob near Benjakitti Park. Built to serve both pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge was used for a while but never really gained in popularity because of its unusual location.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-bridge-over-troubled-waters-gets-a-makeover/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-06-26

 

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[Tropicalevo]

But Thais do not walk anywhere.

That is why they put signs and expensive lamp posts in the middle of the pavements.

[Enzian]

I used to walk that a long time ago. It was so little used that one afternoon I came on a group of 5 or 6 young guys sitting in the middle sorting out a large pile of marijuana. I was a little apprehensive so walked through them fast. One said hello but didn't step in front of me and on I went.

[Phuketshrew]

How long before the first Thai cyclist wraps himself  around those electric pylons?

[Haddo]

I wanted to try this out on my bike (bicycle) last week, and saw that it connected with the end of Sukhumvit Soi 10. So I biked down there, but the park guard on the gate wouldn't let me go through with my bike, even if I walked and wheeled it.
There were a few bikes leaning against the wall - even a young kids bike - so he was obviously not making any exceptions.
So I had to go back up Soi 10 and around to the entrance for Benjakiti park. I could then access the "Green Mile' and even cycle up to the other side of the gate that the guard wouldn't let me through. I tried to ask the other park guards why I couldn't come through that gate with my bike but they said he was a tobacco monopoly guard and nothing to do with them. Just a warning... not really a joined up policy unfortunately.
(attached pics of the gate in question - you can see the start of the green mile just beyond the guard in the photo)

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by Haddo
add photos

[khunjeff]

4 hours ago, Enzian said:

I used to walk that a long time ago. It was so little used that one afternoon I came on a group of 5 or 6 young guys sitting in the middle sorting out a large pile of marijuana. I was a little apprehensive so walked through them fast. One said hello but didn't step in front of me and on I went.

 

I used the path to go back and forth to work for the better part of a year about a decade ago, and had the same problem. In the afternoon there would usually be a group of teenage hoodlums drinking and sniffing glue while they tore apart the steel fence for fun, and they could be somewhat menacing if they were in a bad mood. 

 

As for the guard at the soi 10 gate, I have no idea what his deal is. When I walked from Lumpini a month ago, he wouldn't let me leave to enter the soi, and I had to double back to the railway track, adding over a mile to my walk. Pretty annoying.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

9 hours ago, Haddo said:

I wanted to try this out on my bike (bicycle) last week, and saw that it connected with the end of Sukhumvit Soi 10. So I biked down there, but the park guard on the gate wouldn't let me go through with my bike, even if I walked and wheeled it.
There were a few bikes leaning against the wall - even a young kids bike - so he was obviously not making any exceptions.
So I had to go back up Soi 10 and around to the entrance for Benjakiti park. I could then access the "Green Mile' and even cycle up to the other side of the gate that the guard wouldn't let me through. I tried to ask the other park guards why I couldn't come through that gate with my bike but they said he was a tobacco monopoly guard and nothing to do with them. Just a warning... not really a joined up policy unfortunately.
(attached pics of the gate in question - you can see the start of the green mile just beyond the guard in the photo)

 

 

The wife and I live nearby that park. For some reason, ever since they reopened it after a two year or so long stretch of ridiculous construction, they haven't allowed bicyclists back into the park area as yet. No explanation given.  You can jog or walk on the paths there, but bicycle riding is currently forbidden.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

I used the path to go back and forth to work for the better part of a year about a decade ago, and had the same problem. In the afternoon there would usually be a group of teenage hoodlums drinking and sniffing glue while they tore apart the steel fence for fun, and they could be somewhat menacing if they were in a bad mood. 

 

As for the guard at the soi 10 gate, I have no idea what his deal is. When I walked from Lumpini a month ago, he wouldn't let me leave to enter the soi, and I had to double back to the railway track, adding over a mile to my walk. Pretty annoying.

 

The other issues for bicyclists on the current elevated pathway connecting Benjakitti and Lumpini parks include:

 

--there's often broken glass on the ground at various points along the path creating the risk for flat tires.

 

--there's three or so different spots along the current route where you have to get off your bicycle and carry/push your bike up pretty steep sets to stairs where the path is further raised to get over cross streets below.

 

[katana]

Had to Google it since the photo in the OP didn't really do it justice. Looks worth a visit if in the area. Don't know how his camera didn't pick up any traffic noise, only birds, even at dawn.

 

 

 

Quote

"...Lighting is being added to make the space safer to use..."

 

More opportunity for  Lampostgate maybe.

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by katana