Existed: 1936 – present Constructed 1936 | Length 1,005 km Major cities Bangkok | |
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South end: Bangkok, Victory Monument North end: Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai,
border to Myanmar Provinces Pathum Thani Province | ||
Phahonyothin Road (Thai: ถนนพหลโยธิน, Thanon Phahonyothin) or Thailand Route 1 is a major road in Bangkok and one of the four major highways in Thailand, which include Mittraphap Road (Route 2), Sukhumvit Road (Route 3), and Phetkasem Road (Route 4). It begins at Victory Monument in Bangkok and runs north to the Burmese border, with a total length of 1,005 km (624 mi).
Contents
Map of Phahonyothin Rd, Thailand
History
Phahonyothin Road was originally called Prachathipatai Road (Thai: ถนนประชาธิปไตย, Thanon Prachathipatai, literally "Democracy Road"), and reached just 22 km (14 mi) to Don Mueang. In 1938, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram had the road extended from Don Mueang, through Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi, and Singburi, making it 162 km (101 mi) long. The newly lengthened road was renamed Phahonyothin Road, in honor of General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena (formerly Phot Phahonyothin), the second Prime Minister of Thailand and one of the heads of the 1932 revolution.
Route
In Bangkok, Phahonyothin Road originates in Ratchathewi district and crosses Phaya Thai, Chatuchak, Bang Khen, and Don Mueang districts before continuing into Pathum Thani Province, and on through Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, again through Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, Phayao and finally Chiang Rai, ending in Mae Sai district, where it connects to Tachileik in Myanmar.