Most tourists know that Bangkok is synonymous with traffic. However, Thailand's capital is building a new reputation as a city where walking is a pleasure with a plan for a pedestrian and cycling bridge across its River of Kings that will link two foot-friendly historic districts.

The Chao Phraya River (River of Kings) footbridge will span the capital's famous waterway and connect the newly popular creative district of Song Wat in Chinatown with the Khlong San neighborhood, known for its history, markets, canals, temples and distinctive dining.

The $30 million bridge is expected to open in 2030.

According to the Krungthep Turakij business newspaper, "the footbridge is envisioned as a world-class urban landmark that will foster a sustainable pedestrian ecosystem and bridge the economic divide" between the communities on both sides of the river.

It will also make more areas of the city accessible to tourists who have always been challenged to see more of the capital; getting around is often difficult as they contend with traffic jams.

"I want the city to have a landmark – a bridge across the Chao Phraya River specifically for pedestrians and cyclists, as there are already plenty of bridges for cars," said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. "This will create a context for the surrounding community economy and help reduce disparities between the [two] sides, which were often overlooked in the past."

The Nation newspaper wrote that "urban experts have welcomed the project as a shift away from car-centric planning towards a more inclusive city model."

Among them were Pichai Wongwaisayawan, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Bangkok University, who called the bridge vital "social infrastructure." More than serving as a physical pathway, it will link people, cultures and transit modes.

"The true value of this bridge lies not in the structure itself, but in its ability to connect all transport systems together—be it trains, boats, walkways, or bicycles," Pichai told the paper.

"Bangkok today does not lack landmarks; it lacks an interconnected network of public spaces," Pichai added. "If this bridge serves merely as a destination, it will succeed to a certain degree. But if it marks the beginning of a network of riverfront walkways connecting communities and public transit, it will become a lasting urban legacy."