Mon Bridge is ready to open Saturday with grand and memorable events

[Lite Beer]

Mon Bridge is ready to open Saturday with grand and memorable events

KANCHANABURI: -- Thousands of visitors are now flocking to Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi to witness the official opening of the longest wooden bridge, the Uttamanusorn or Mon Bridge, of which the repair has been just completed.

All resort and hotel rooms were reported to be fully booked by tourists to take part in the grand opening.

The wooden bridge was washed away last year by heavy flood waters.

Repairs have taken over a year and the bridge is ready for opening Saturday.

The Mon Bridge otherwise officially known as the Uttamanusorn bridge is open to visitors Friday.

Hundreds of tourists were seen on the bridge taking pictures and to personally taking in the beauty of the bridge that spans the Song Kalia River.

The Mon bridge as it is affectionately called, is the longest wooden span in the country and the second longest of its kind in the world.

Residents here are relieved and glad to have the use of the bridge again following repairs which were carried out with the help of the Sangkhla Buri residents in cooperation with the Surasi Engineering Unit of the 9th Army Division.

It was expected that the number of visitors to the bridge Saturday will make the official opening ceremony of the bridge an exciting and memorable event.

One Mon resident said he was so happy and relieved that the repairs have finally been completed.

When the bridge washed away last year there were relatively few tourists coming here. But this time it is exciting to see the large turnout, he said.

The opening ceremony begins very early in the morning with a religious Buddhist ceremony which will be held on the span.

Throughout the entire day people in Sangkhla Buri will be carrying out merit making ceremony as the date also coincides with the anniversary of the death of their revered abbot, Luang Por Uttama.

Towards the evening a traditional Sangkhla Buri folk dance will be performed followed by a ‘Mini Light and Sound’ presentation. Preparations for the festivities have been carried for a long time and it is reported that all the events prepared will go off without a hitch.

Commander of the 19th Division of the Surasi Field Force in Kanchanaburi province Colonel Pongsawat Phachanathip said that all the necessary preparations have been completed. Authorities have prepared seating for 1,000 guests to view the ceremony and entry is free of charge.

Interestingly, local operators of resorts in the area have reported that they are completely booked-up to capacity but recommends that visitors who were unable to book a room can still bring tents of their own and still attend the festivities.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/mon-bridge-ready-open-saturday-grand-memorable-events/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-17

[Assurancetourix]

As it was the 21 of august this year 2014