Bangkok can seem like a chaotic and busy city sometimes. The heat, the humidity, and sometimes the toxic fumes from all the cars and trucks can be overwhelming. Thankfully the heavenly green spaces of public parks glitter like all around central Bangkok jewels and provide spaces for retreat and relaxation, activities and more.
Lumpini Park
Admission: Free
Open: From dawn until 9pm seven days
GPS: 13.729665, 100.536998
Lumpini Park is an inner-city haven of tranquillity and shade surrounding peaceful lakes. Named after the birthplace of the Lord Buddha in Nepal, the park sprawls over more than half a million square metres and is home to a wide range of plants and animals. Dating back to the 1920s, Lumpini Park was once set to be an exhibition centre for Thai crafts and flower displays. This never eventuated but Lumpini Park has grown into a vibrant centre of outdoor activity for Bangkokians, who often gather before and after sunset to walk, jog, practise aerobics and a host of other recreational activities.
You can get up close to giant water monitors, one of the largest lizards on the planet as they surreptitiously wade out of the pond to sunbathe. Look for squirrels frolicking in the trees and huge palm-sized snails sliding across the ground, along with over 30 species of birds. You wouldn’t normally expect to find such an amazing range of wildlife in the centre of a city like Bangkok but these animals are survivors of a time when Bangkok was much smaller.
Saranrom Park
Admission: Free
Open: 5am – 8pm seven days
GPS: 13.748318, 100.496073
Once the private park and zoo of King Rama V who collected rare plants from around the world, Saramrom Park is now open to the public and visitors can enjoy one hundred year old trees amidst the historic landscape and architecture. Very centrally located, the park is located opposite the Grand Palace at the corner of Sanamchai, Rachini and Charoenkrung roads.
Queen Sirikit Park
Admission: Free
Open: 5am – 6.30pm seven days
GPS: 13.804033, 100.552188
The Queen Sirikit Park features a new wooden pedestrian bridge, offering an alternative for park visitors to easily cross over to neighbouring Rod Fai Park. Made of timber, the Bird Wave bridge is inspired by the nearby bird sanctuary and is a popular bird watching spot. Unlike its neighbour Wachira Benchathat Park, which was made for bike riding, you shouldn’t ride within Queen Sirikit Park. Park your bike and walk when in Queen Sirikit park.
Wachira Benchathat Park (Rot Fai Park)
Admission: Free
Open: 5am – 9pm
GPS: 13.816860, 100.557007
Once the State Railway of Thailand’s golf course, this giant public park is best known by its nickname, Suan Rodfai. It’s been transformed into a heaven for jogging, park cycling and weekend leisure. It’s a great park for kids and families with excellent walking and cycling trails and plentiful picnic opportunities from food vendors scattered around the park. It’s also nearby to the famous Chatuchak Market, making it an ideal contrast to a days shopping.
Chatuchak Park
Admission: Free
Open: Dawn until Dusk
GPS: 13.803758, 100.553816
One of Bangkok’s most accessible park thanks to its location right by BTS Mochit and MRT Chatuchak Park stations, this green space boasts a leafy jogging route and a manmade lake on which you can hire paddleboats for a serene paddle. A handsome clock tower dominates one part of the park. It makes a perfect evening stroll after a day shopping at the nearby Chatuchak Market. You can hire picnic blankets for around 50 baht and enjoy food from vendors surrounding the park.
Benjasiri Park
Admission: Free
Open: Dawn until Dusk
GPS: 13.731316, 100.568200
Opened in 1992 to honour Queen Sirikit’s 60th Birthday, this green space sits right next to a luxury shopping mall in the Khlong Toei district. Art lovers will enjoy scavenging for 12 sculpture pieces scattered throughout this compact park. Benjasiri Park is a nice place to relax and immerse in local ‘park life’. Some of the more interesting activities within the park include Tai Chi at the front square, joggers circling the perimeter, aerobics near the back, Sepak Takraw (Thai foot volley) and basketball in the back courts. Benjasiri Park is also home to some festivals and free events, the most notable being Loy Krathong festival where locals come to float their ‘baskets’ on the central pond.
Benjakitti Park
Admission: Free
Open: 5am – 9pm
GPS: 13.725635, 100.559884
Converted from parts of The Tobacco Monopoly property, this 130-rai public greenery makes an excellent park for cyclist and is a popular jogging spot with the locals in downtown Bangkok. The skyscraper backdrop behind the artificial lake makes a spectacular photo opportunity. The tracks around the expansive lake are well marked and should be on any cycle tour itinerary.
At Your Thai Guide, we know all the best parks in Bangkok and which one to go to suit your itinerary. Ask us to take you to your favorite!
