Thanon Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Phansa is a highway connecting the village of Ban Thale Noi in Phatthalung Province to the town of Ranot in Songkhla Province, in southern Thailand. It is one of the most scenic highways in the area, as it travels elevated over a landscape of mudflats and marshland for a distance of some 6.5 kilometers. The land under the highway is semi-amphibious, being dry during low tide and completely inundated during high tide. The area is rich in fish, attracting a large population of birds and waterfowls.
Thanon Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Phansa separates two components of the Great Songkhla Lake: Thale Noi to the north from Thale Luang to the south. The highway is supported on piling over the wetlands. At the middle portion, it crosses a bridge spanning an outlet between these two bodies of water.
Interesting Sights
In the proximity of the bridge is the timber palace of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the second daughter of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. I am not sure whether the Little House on Thale Luang is the palace.
Thanon Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Phansa is particularly scenic at sunset. I was fortunate to have the chance of photographing it as the sun slowly sets over the highway. Apart from my photographer friends, there was a group of locals hanging out on the bridge and having their meal. I think they were rather amused to see this group of foreign photographers busying themselves with the sunset. My friends told me afterwards that they photographed us just as we were busy photographing the sunset!
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