Beneath the bustling Rama VIII Bridge, a group of young football players are sweating it out on the bridge's makeshift soccer field.

Dribbling, spinning, hooking, and shooting in one fluid motion, 16-year-old Son, sporting a yellow jersey, showcased his skills in the scrimmage. After scoring three times, his teammates around him cheered him on enthusiastically.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and night fell, the Rama VIII Bridge came to life, bustling with activity. Lights illuminated the soccer field in the sports park beneath the bridge, and an increasing number of citizens gathered to play football. Son, who was taking a break on the sidelines, warmly greeted newcomers with familiarity. The atmosphere was infused with a serene and refreshing ambiance.

The construction and existence of bridges hold distinct memories for each city. In Bangkok, the Rama VIII Bridge, with its splendid cable-stayed design, undeniably stands as one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Whether in the daytime or at night, tourists and locals alike gravitate to the Rama VIII Bridge to capture its exquisite allure. It serves not only as a crucial transportation artery in Bangkok but also as a beloved recreational destination, gracing the city with its serene and refreshing ambiance.

The space beneath the bridge transforms into a soccer field, igniting the passion for sports among the youth

The Rama VIII Bridge, named after King Rama VIII of Thailand, is one of the iconic landmarks in the capital city of Bangkok. It spans the Chao Phraya River and is located in the central area of Bangkok. On the reverse side of the 20 Baht banknote issued in 2003, there is a magnificent cable-stayed bridge - the Rama VIII Bridge, which was constructed by Chinese builder China State Construction. It was the first bridge-building project of a cable-stayed kind the company built overseas.

Almost every evening, Son and his friends gather at the sports park soccer field beneath the Rama VIII Bridge to play matches.

Son is intimately acquainted with the Rama VIII Bridge. He explains, "The bridge boasts dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lanes, drawing in numerous locals and tourists who relish strolls, jogs, and bike rides while gazing upon the expansive and splendid Chao Phraya River. While standing on the pedestrian path, you can observe leisurely boats gliding along the river, flanked by verdant trees on both banks. The gentle, cool breeze from the river caresses your face, and even during the scorching noon, with temperatures soaring past 30 degrees Celsius, it never feels uncomfortably hot."

"Thanks to this bridge, we have this soccer field. It's what unites us for a game of football," Son reflects with profound sentiment about the Rama VIII Bridge towering above him. To him, this bridge has offered more than just transportation convenience; it has provided him and his friends with a gathering place to enjoy themselves and run freely, contributing to a sense of unity and camaraderie.

As more like-minded friends joined them, Son and his buddies formed their own soccer team, naming it after the Rama VIII Bridge. Son is delighted with everything the bridge has brought into his life.

The bridge has emerged as a popular tourist attraction

The banks of the Chao Phraya River are expansive, with its waters flowing swiftly, causing ripples and waves as the wind gently caresses the surface. Dragon boats glide through the water, creating an exhilarating spectacle. This magnificent Chao Phraya River meanders through the heart of the city, nurturing the vibrancy of Bangkok and imparting a touch of elegance to the urban landscape of concrete and steel.

The most enchanting vista of the Chao Phraya River unfolds at night. As the night falls, the illuminated Chao Phraya River bestows an aura of grace and allure upon the city. Neon lights shimmer, painting a vivid and mesmerizing tapestry of colors that captivates the senses.

"The bridge not only enhances transportation convenience in Bangkok but has also evolved into a beloved tourist attraction and a cherished leisure destination for locals," Son gestures toward the area beneath the bridge. "Beneath the bridge, you'll discover benches thoughtfully placed for relaxation, and along the roadside, numerous street vendors with carts offering delectable local treats. Here, you can savor a diverse range of Thai snacks, including Thai iced tea and stir-fried noodles, all reasonably priced for everyone to enjoy." This place exudes a serene and refreshing ambiance.

As night falls, the golden lights on the bridge and the illuminated surrounding buildings create a harmonious and beautiful scene. People can either sit in the pavilions along the riverbank to admire the bridge's nighttime view or take a stroll on the bridge, feeling the bustling city life around them while enjoying the gentle river breeze.

"The Rama VIII Bridge's nighttime illumination is truly enchanting," remarked Pearl, a young woman whom the reporter encountered while walking home on the bridge after nightfall. She noted that she resides on the opposite side of the bridge and crosses it daily for work.

She shared that the fatigue of her daily work often catches up with her, but the moment she steps onto the bridge, feels the gentle river breeze and takes in the scenic beauty around her, it instantly becomes a remarkably enjoyable experience. This bridge has also become a popular social media check-in location for young people. Pearl mentioned that whenever she has friends from out of town visiting, she brings them here to take photos and create enduring memories. It's a place that exudes a serene and refreshing ambiance.

More "Bridges of Unity"

With the introduction of China's "Belt and Road" initiative, various forms of "Bridges of Unity" between China and Thailand have emerged in Thailand. In addition to the Rama VIII Bridge, Chinese companies have also undertaken the expansion project of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. This is one of the critical public infrastructure projects under Thailand's "Eastern Economic Corridor" plan and the "Thailand 4.0" economic strategy. It effectively addresses the issue of overcrowding in the old terminal, contributing to the development of Thailand's tourism industry.

Furthermore, several influential engineering projects in Thailand have been executed by Chinese companies. These include the Chiang Mai Meiguang Dam, the Southern Outer Ring Road Elevated Expressway in Bangkok, the new Bangkok City Hall, the Bangkok China Cultural Center, the Thailand M6 Highway, and more.

These infrastructure projects built by China have not only provided employment opportunities for the residents but have also become important tourist attractions in their own right.

As the stadium lights dimmed, Son and his friends gathered their belongings and residents left the field in small groups. They discussed their impressive performance today while walking. After leaving the sports park beneath the bridge, Son waved goodbye to his friends. Turning back towards the bridge, he softly said, "See you tomorrow," and then headed in the direction of his home.

At this moment, the Rama VIII Bridge above remained bustling with traffic, and the area beneath the Rama VIII Bridge continued to be lively.

拉玛八世大桥：一座见证中泰友谊的“连心桥”

在车水马龙的拉玛八世大桥底，一群足球少年在桥底的球场上挥洒着汗水。

带球转身，勾脚、扭腰、射门一气呵成。身穿黄色球衣的16岁少年颂在对抗赛中表现亮眼。三次进球后，身边的队友纷纷为他喝彩。

随着太阳西下，夜幕降临，拉玛八世大桥迎来了繁忙的时刻，桥下体育公园的足球场上也亮起了灯。前来踢球的市民渐渐多了起来。坐在场边休息的颂熟络地跟刚刚到来的人打招呼。

桥梁的建造和存在，是每座城市的独有记忆。在曼谷，拉玛八世大桥这座气势磅礴的斜拉大桥无疑是最亮眼的大桥之一。无论白天还是夜晚，来拉玛八世大桥参观打卡的人络绎不绝。不仅因为这座桥是曼谷标志性的交通要道，还因为这里是受人欢迎的休闲场所。

桥下空间“变身”足球场，点燃少年运动热情

拉玛八世大桥以泰国国王拉玛八世命名，是泰国首都曼谷的地标性建筑之一，位于曼谷的中心区域，横跨湄南河。在2003年发行的面额20泰铢纸币的背面，有一座气势磅礴的斜拉大桥，这就是中国参与承建的拉玛八世大桥，也是中国建筑集团有限公司在境外承建的第一座斜拉桥工程。

几乎在每天晚上，颂会跟小伙伴们一同来到拉玛八世大桥下的体育公园足球场进行比赛。

对于拉玛八世大桥，颂十分熟悉。“桥上专门设有人行道和自行车道，许多当地民众和游客喜欢在这里散步、跑步、骑车，同时还可以俯瞰宽阔壮丽的湄南河。站在人行道上，可以看到船只从河上徐徐行过，河岸两侧绿树成荫，湿润凉爽的河风扑面而来，即使是正午超过30摄氏度也不会让人觉得炎热。”颂说道。

“因为有了这座大桥，才有了这个球场。我们才能聚在一起，一起踢球。”对于头顶的拉玛八世大桥，颂感慨良多。在他看来，这座大桥带给他的不仅仅是交通上的便利，更是给了他和小伙伴们一个聚集、游乐、奔跑的场地。

随着兴趣相投的伙伴越来越多，颂和小伙伴们组建了自己的球队，球队以拉玛八世大桥命名。对于大桥给自己带来的一切，颂感到十分欣喜。

大桥成为热门打卡点

湄南河河岸开阔、水流湍急，风吹浪涌、碧波涟漪，龙舟击水、颠簸刺激。美丽的湄南河从市区穿城而过，河水滋养着曼谷的繁华，让满是钢筋水泥建筑的曼谷多了几分婉约的柔美。

湄南河最美的景色是在夜晚。夜幕降临，灯光映照下的湄南河，为这座城市增添了几分灵秀和神韵，霓虹闪烁，流光溢彩，让人陶醉……

“大桥不仅为曼谷交通带来便利，而且成为旅客们的热门打卡点，同时也是市民最喜爱的休闲场所。”颂指着不远处的桥底说，“桥下设有一些供休息的长椅，路边还有不少小商贩推着小推车贩卖当地美食，在这里，泰式奶茶、炒河粉等泰国小吃应有尽有、物美价廉。”

入夜后，桥上金色的灯光和周围亮灯的建筑交相辉映，共同构成了一幅美丽的画卷。人们既可以坐在河畔公园的凉亭里欣赏大桥夜景，也可以吹着河风在桥上漫步，感受身旁的车水马龙。

“拉玛八世大桥夜晚的灯光效果十分迷人。”夜色降临后，记者在桥上偶遇了步行回家的年轻姑娘珍珠。她对记者说，自己家就住在桥对面，每天过桥到对面打工。

她说，自己每天工作完了都会觉得很疲惫，但只要走在大桥上，吹着江风，看着桥畔的美景，那一刻特别惬意。这座大桥也成了年轻人喜欢的网红打卡点，珍珠说自己每当有外地的朋友过来，都会前来这里拍照打卡，留下足迹和回忆。

更多的“连心桥”

近年来，随着中国和泰国高质量共建“一带一路”，一座座形式不同的中泰“连心桥”在泰国拔地而起。除了拉玛八世大桥外，中国企业还承建了泰国素万那普机场扩建项目，泰国素万那普机场扩建项目是泰国“东部经济走廊”计划以及“泰国4.0”经济战略重要民生工程之一，有效地改善老航站楼客流量压力过大的现状，助力泰国旅游业发展。

除此之外，还有清迈湄光水坝、曼谷南外环全高架高速公路、曼谷市政府新办公楼、曼谷中国文化中心、泰国M6高速公路等一批具有重要影响的工程项目均出自中国企业之手。

这些中国建造的民生项目，不仅仅为当地百姓带来了就业，成为当地一个个重要的观光打卡点。

伴随着球场灯光熄灭，颂和小伙伴们收拾好物品，三五成群地离开球场。他们一边走一边讨论着今天的精彩表现。离开桥底体育公园，颂挥手告别了小伙伴们。走出桥底体育公园的颂扭头对着大桥轻轻说了句“明天见”，便朝家的方向走去。

此时的拉玛八世大桥上依旧车水马龙，拉玛八世大桥的桥底依旧热闹。

出品人 | 杜传贵 林海利
总策划 | 孙爱群 林洁
总统筹 | 黄丽娜 蒋铮 侯恕望 骆苹
执行统筹 | 董柳 宋金峪 谭铮
文 | 周聪 薛江华
拍摄 | 钟振彬 周聪 薛江华
剪辑 | 王炯勋
音效 | 李峰烁
配音 | 周聪
片头 | 叶秋艳
海报 | 杜卉
翻译 | 林佳岱 陈萱
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 赵丹丹