Bangkok's parks

Enough of the noise and the view of the concrete behemoths in Bangkok? Then visit one park in the capital, smell the smell of grass in one of the green oases.

Better yet, make it a habit to walk, jog or just relax! Below are some major parks in Bangkok.

Benjakiti Park
This park has existed since 2004 and covers about 130 rai (approx. 21 ha) next to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It features a 2-kilometer walking track where one finds quite a few joggers, especially in the morning and evening, running around the lake and doing exercises. The park also has a dedicated bike path, completely separated from the pedestrian zone so no chance of accidental collisions. Bicycles of all sizes can be rented for 40 Baht per hour. Other facilities include playgrounds, a nice skateboarding facility, a meditation area and exercise zones.

• Ratchadaphisek Rd.
• Open daily from 5:00 AM to 20:00 PM.

Lumphini Park
Lumpini Park is to Bangkok what Central Park is to New York, although it is obviously much smaller in size. This inner-city lung nevertheless offers plenty of space for walking, running, relaxing or just dozing in the grass under a tree. The park is very suitable for fitness enthusiasts: there is a 2,5 kilometer long athletics track, which (unfortunately) can also be used by cyclists.

Visitors to the park can also rent paddle boats on the large central lake for a small fee.

• Pathum Wan (next to Silom BTS and MRT stations).
• Open daily from 4:30 AM to 21:00 PM.

Chatuchak Park
For a breezy respite from the noise and heat of nearby Chatuchak Weekend Market, this well-maintained park is ideal. You will find visual art from several Asian countries around a large central pond full of fish. Watch the fish in action from one of the bridges or rent a boat.

The park is also home to the Train Museum (open Saturdays and Sundays from 07:00 AM to 16.00:XNUMX PM) which features an exhibition on the history of Thailand's railways and cars.

• Kampaengphet 1 Rd (Chatuchak Park MRT or Mochit BTS).
• Open daily from 4:30 AM to 21:00 PM.

Saranrom Park
Surrounded by the Grand Palace, Royal Cemetery and Wat Pho, Saranrom Park is a park with regal ties (it was built in 1866 by King Rama IV as part of Saranrom Palace, located in the eastern part of the Grand Palace). That royal status is reflected in the beautifully designed landscape, a beautifully designed pond and the architecture of, among other things, an old pavilion, a European-style fountain and Chao Mae Takhien Tong Shrine (a former Chinese tower). In short, it is a great place to take a break when visiting the other attractions in the area.

• Located near the intersection of Charoenkrung and Rachini Road (Diagonally opposite Wat Pho near the Grand Palace).
• Open daily from 5am to 00pm.

Benchasiri Park
Opened in 1992, this compact and lovingly maintained park is not the quietest of its kind. It is located next to the Emporium shopping center and Sukhumvit Road runs along its entire front, yet its lush trees muffle the noise from the surrounding streets just enough to create a relaxing atmosphere. Wander around the park's central lake and you'll find no less than 18 modern sculptures. The largest of these is a giant coin relief depicting the Queen. Other facilities include a volleyball and basketball court, a roller skating area, a playground and a swimming pool.

• Sukhumvit Rd. Khlong Toei District (near Phrom Phong BTS station).
• Open daily from 5am to 00pm.

Romaneenart Park
Opened in 1993, this park is located on the grounds of what was once “The Bangkok Special Prison”. You can still see the old watchtowers and neoclassical buildings in the style of the King Rama V period.

Visit the Corrections Museum, which is spread over four buildings, depicting the history of Thailand's criminal justice system

• Siripong Rd. Samranrat Sub-district, Phra Nakhon.
• Open daily from 5am to 00pm.

Suan Rot Fai Park
This park is a former golf course, which was transformed into a public urban landscape. The location is north of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It is an ideal park for cyclists, because there is a 3 kilometer long cycle path. Don't have a bicycle? No problem. You can rent one from as little as 20 Baht per day, depending on the model. You don't have to cycle to enjoy this park, because there is also a large lake where you can rent canoes and rowing boats. There are also sports fields, playgrounds, a driving range and even a butterfly garden and insectarium.

• Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd. (Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT).
• Opened daily from 5:00 AM to 21.00:XNUMX PM.

Source: TheBigChilli, Bangkok