The bridge is of an asymmetrical design, with a single pylon located on the Thonburi bank of the river. The pylon, which is 160 metres (520 ft) tall, is in the shape of an upside-down Y standing on two legs. The bridge deck passes through the legs of the pylon, carrying two carriageways of two lanes each, as well as shared pedestrian and cycle ways on both sides. Fifty-six cables, arranged in two planes in a semi-fan configuration, support the 300-metre (980 ft)-long main span, while another twenty-eight cables arranged in a single plane with a near-harp configuration connect the tower to the median of the anchor span. Most of the bridge, which is 475 metres (1,558 ft) in total length, is constructed of reinforced and prestressed concrete, except for the main span, which has a steel structure with a composite concrete deck. At its completion, the bridge was one of the world's largest asymmetric cable-stayed bridges
The bridge's architectural elements include lotus motifs, which appear in the pedestrian railings, as well as references to King Ananda Mahidol. The cables have gold-coloured sheaths, and other steel elements are painted accordingly. The bases of the tower are enclosed in octagonal enclosures resembling the feet of an elephant. The top of the tower features a glass observation deck, which is enclosed in a 15-metre (49 ft)-tall metal frame in the shape of a lotus bud and is accessible by a lift inside the tower. It is the tallest bridge observation deck in the world, but is not currently open to the public. Viaducts connect the bridge to Wisut Kasat Road on the eastern side of the river and Arun Amarin Road and the Borommaratchachonnani Elevated Highway on the western side. Lift towers and stairs allow pedestrian access to the bridge from each bank. The area around the base of the pylon has been developed into a public park. It features a larger-than-life statue of Ananda Mahidol, which was unveiled by the current king on 9 June 2012.
The bridge's design received multiple engineering awards. It won the 2003 Eugene C. Figg Jr. Medal For Signature Bridges, given by the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania. Buckland & Taylor received a 2003 Award of Excellence from Canadian Consulting Engineerfor their design of the bridge,[as well as an Award of Merit at the 14th Annual CEBC (Consulting Engineers of British Columbia) Awards for Engineering Excellence. The bridge has also come to be depicted on the back of the Series 15
20-baht banknote, behind a portrait of King Ananda Mahidol.