Spean Praptos designed as military naval choke point. The bridge has 21 piers with deliberately narrow spans between them Narrow spans reduce water energy and force against the piers during floods, while simultaneously preventing large boats from passing Small fishing boats and kayaks can navigate the spans, but warships cannot — Khomer naval warfare scenes carved on the walls of Bayon Temple depict large warships used in military campaigns

Spean Praptos (Kampong Kdei Bridge) has 21 narrow corbeled stone arches spanning 86–87 meters across the river. Built from laterite and sandstone, it was once the longest corbeled stone-arch bridge in the world, on the ancient road from Angkor to Phnom Penh. ⚔️🛶

Key Facts

  • The bridge has 21 piers with deliberately narrow spans between them
  • Narrow spans reduce water energy and force against the piers during floods, while simultaneously preventing large boats from passing
  • Small fishing boats and kayaks can navigate the spans, but warships cannot — Khomer naval warfare scenes carved on the walls of Bayon Temple depict large warships used in military campaigns
  • The bridge effectively functions as a military checkpoint and defensive choke point across the river, consistent with its name "bridge of escape"

Source: They Destroyed Every Face On This Ancient Bridge. What Were They Hiding? by PraveenMohan