As Governor Chadchart’s term is coming to a close, there’s one more ambitious project left to be realised: a modern bridge over the Chao Phraya River with pedestrians and cyclists in mind.

Connecting the historic Song Wat area to the Klong San district, the proposed bridge, with its latticework designed by international architecture company MVRDV, would become the capital’s first infrastructure to fully accommodate pedestrians and cyclists across the river, which would also double as a public space – if successfully realised.

Although the bridge doesn’t have a name yet, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has already unveiled a 3D rendering of it. The initiative aims to revitalise Bangkok’s Old Town area (Song Wat is known for its quaintness) as well as elevate the city’s global status.

According to the plans, the Song Wat bridge would be constructed between the Phra Pok Klao Bridge and the King Taksin Bridge. The bridge’s strategic placement is important as it would introduce tourists from Song Wat and Yaowarat to Chiang Mai Road on the side of Thon Buri, thereby strengthening local businesses scattered in narrow sois and around hard-to-spot corners they wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to discover.

Labelling it “A Global Landmark”, the BMA is clear in its objective to turn the proposed bridge into a place where people could take photographs with the scenic river as the backdrop, watch the sun set on the distant horizon, and share memorable experiences. 

Under the current concept, the bridge would not be just one transit point among many; it would be an attraction in its own right. With piers on the riverbanks, the bridge would allow luxurious ferries and cargo barges to pass freely.

The BMA specifically highlights the theme of seamless connectivity. This is seen as complementing the vision of Bangkok as a walkable city where car dependency would be reduced, and air pollution would subside as a result. 

(Or so the theory goes. With challenges posed by PM2.5, it is quite hard to imagine how such a vision could be implemented effectively.)

But the final product remains to be seen. As the BMA noted in its Facebook announcement, the project is in the study and initial design phase.

Various steps must be taken before it can be built, including budget approval from the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. Excited and concerned netizens alike have also questioned its feasibility, maintenance procedures, and timeframe for completion.

If implemented, the bridge would mark a milestone not only in urban governance but also in human-centred design. A bridge that also functions as a public space suspended above the country’s most famous river? Basically, a hanging garden? It’s a brilliant concept, if you ask me.

Members of the public can provide feedback on the project under Policy P023 via Bangkok’s Open Policy website.