Rama II Road
{{Short description|Road in Thailand}}
{{Infobox road
| country = THA
| route = 35
| alternate_name = ถนนพระรามที่ 2
Rama II Road
| type = R
| direction_a = Northeast
| direction_b = Southwest
| terminus_a = 20pxSuk Sawat Rd. in Chom Thong, Bangkok
| terminus_b = 20pxPhet Kasem Rd. in Pak Tho, Ratchaburi
| length_km = 84.041
| established = 1973
Rama II Road ({{langx|th|ถนนพระรามที่ 2}}, {{RTGS|Thanon Phra Ram Thi Song}}; usually shortened to {{lang|th|ถนนพระราม 2}}, {{transl|th|RTGS|Thanon Phra Ram Song}}) or Highway 35 ({{lang|th|ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 35}}, {{transl|th|Thang Lauang Phaendin Mai Lek 35}}) is a road in Thailand heading towards the south. Rama II Road starts from Chom Thong District in the Thonburi side of Bangkok, passing through Bang Khun Thian District into Samut Sakhon Province. It then enters Samut Songkhram Province and terminates at a junction with Phet Kasem Road (Highway 4) in Ratchaburi Province, with a total distance of {{Convert|84.041|km|mi|abbr=}}. The road is maintained by the Department of Highways.
History
Rama II Road was built during the government of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn with a total budget of approximately 419 million baht and was officially opened on 1 April 1973. It was named "Rama II" in honor of King Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II) of the Chakri dynasty, who was born in present-day Samut Songkhram Province.{{cite web |last=Sangsuwanna |first=Saowalak |date=2018-07-10 |title=คนไทยควรรู้!! ไขข้อข้องใจ..ความเป็นมาของชื่อของ "สะพานพระราม..." และชื่อถนน...ในย่านสำคัญของสยาม!! |trans-title=Thais should know !! Explaining the origin of the name "Rama" Bridge ...and Street ...in important areas of Siam!! |url=https://www.tnews.co.th/contents/469988 |accessdate=2019-02-03 |work=Tnews |language=thai}}
Construction began in 1970, divided into 3 phases:
- Thonburi to Samut Sakhon, a distance of 29 km, construction cost 180 million baht
- Samut Sakhon to Samut Songkhram, a distance of 36 km, construction cost 142 million baht
- Samut Songkhram to meet Phet Kasem Road at the km 125.5 in area of Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province, distance 19 km, along with Somdet Phra Phutthaloetla Naphalai Bridge, the bridge over Mae Klong River, including construction cost 99 million baht.
Upon its completion, the road became an important travel route which shortened the travel time to the south, bypassing Phet Kasem Road and helping to divert its traffic. A side effect of the road's construction was that the Maeklong Railway line became less frequented and unprofitable, but still could not be retired due to some villages remaining accessible only by train.{{cite web|url=https://mgronline.com/columnist/detail/9600000104958|title=ย้อนรอย "ถนนพระราม 2" ทางหลวงสายมรณะ 419 ล้านบาท|last=Nakthong|first=Kittinan|date=2017-10-14|work=Manager Daily|language=thai|trans-title=Retracing "Rama II Road", the 419 million baht Death Highway|accessdate=2019-02-03}}
= Ongoing construction projects and accidents =
There has been widespread criticism that Rama II Road is an "unfinished road" or "endless road" due to constant repairs and new construction projects, which have lasted from the initial construction in the 1970s up to the present: {{As of|2024|lc=y}}, there were four ongoing projects on the road, due to finish in 2025.{{Cite news |last=Wancharoen |first=Supoj |date=2024-04-25 |title=PM lauds 'team effort' to clear Rama II Road |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2781809/pm-lauds-team-effort-to-clear-rama-ii-road |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}} Therefore, it resembles a road that was never completed. The impact of constant construction has led to many fatal accidents and traffic congestion problems, which have been blamed as a contributing factor towards the decline of popular tourist destinations like Hua Hin.{{cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2748683/jams-on-rama-ii-road-blamed-for-hua-hins-decline|work=Bangkok Post|accessdate=2024-02-26|date=2024-03-02|title=Jams on Rama II blamed for Hua Hin's decline|first=Chairith|last=Yonpiam}}
At 4:13 am on November 29, 2024, a launching gantry crane and precast concrete segments collapsed on the outbound side of Rama II Road at the construction site of the Ekkachai - Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway 82 (M82) section in Khok Krabue Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province, resulting in six deaths and eight injuries. All the victims were workmen.{{cite web|work=Bangkok Post|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2911011/fatal-crane-collapse-on-rama-ii-road|date=2024-12-06|accessdate=2024-11-29|title=Fatal crane collapse on Rama II Road}}
On 15 March 2025, a section of the under-construction Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapsed onto Rama II Road, causing seven confirmed deaths.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-15 |title=Seven killed as Bangkok's Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapses on Rama II Road |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/03/15/seven-killed-as-bangkok039s-dao-khanong-expressway-bridge-collapses-on-rama-ii-road |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=The Star |language=en}}
References
{{coord|13.514429|100.153518|display=title}}
{{Road infrastructure in Thailand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rama 02 Road}}