สะพานร่วมพูนผล 7 ก.พ. 2520

Standing here, can you feel the weight of history beneath your feet? This is the Sarasin Bridge, a bridge steeped in both love and tragedy. It was built in 1951 to connect Phuket Island, Thailand’s largest island, to the mainland. Connecting Phuket to the mainland was difficult before the Sarasin Bridge, people had to take a ferry to get across. Imagine how different Phuket was before the bridge, when the only way to reach this enchanting island was by boat. The Sarasin Bridge was officially opened in 1967 and was named after Pote Sarasin, a Thai politician who was a member of a wealthy Chinese family from Bangkok. The bridge, originally designed for cars, was even renovated in 2011 when traffic increased and the government built a new bridge next to it. Now, the old bridge, with its pavilion and watchtowers, is a pedestrian crossing just for walking and enjoying the sunset. But the most enduring story of the Sarasin Bridge is one of love and loss. In 1973, two young lovers, Dam Sae-tan and Kanchana Sae-ngo known as Gew, jumped to their deaths from the bridge. Gew came from a wealthy family and her father opposed their relationship. They were forbidden to see each other. One day, desperate and heartbroken, they tied themselves together with a piece of cloth and jumped off the bridge. Their story has become a legend in Phuket, a testament to the power of love and the tragedy of its loss. Every day, couples approach the bridge with bated breath, holding hands as they cross. If they can cross the whole bridge without breathing, they say, their wish will come true. So take a deep breath, feel the history beneath your feet, imagine the love and loss on this bridge and cross with your loved one. Who knows, maybe your wish will come true.