The bridge once linked Aranyaprathet to the Cambodia border town of Poipet. It was an integral link for passengers and traders travelling between the Thai capital of Bangkok and Cambodia. The bridge has not been used since civil war ravaged Cambodia in the 1970s.
Time and lack of use have left the bridge in a bad state and it was just a minor tourism draw prior to the start of demolition. Passengers travelling from Bangkok and stations en route currently alight at the station in Aranyaprathet Town. The station is six kilometres from the border and the bridge.
The State Railway of Thailand has signed a contract with Italian-Thai Development to build a new bridge and this is expected to be ready for the launch of the ASEAN Free Trade Zone. The rail company has allocated THB2.8 billion to improve service on the 176kms of line from Chachoengsao east to Aranyaprathet.
Thai rail starts demolition of bridge to Cambodia
News in Asia
The Thai national rail company has begun the demolition of a disused rail bridge to Cambodia. The removal of the 100-year-old bridge at Aranyaprathet will pave the way for the construction of a new one in the latter half of 2015.