Bangkok Parks

Benjakitti Park

Overlooking one of the most picturesque views of the downtown Bangkok skyline, Benjakitti Park covers a rectangular area of 130 rais (208,000sqms) opposite the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The park forms a narrow swathe of green around the expansive Lake Ratchada, with dedicated bicycle and jogging tracks encircling the whole park.

Set in the middle of the lake is the centrepiece fountain and a stage for light and sound performances during major festivals like New Year’s Eve and Loy Krathong. Apart from bicycling, the park offers paddle boats, row boats, a skateboarding ramp and fitness area where you can do various stretches on your own or join one of the aerobics sessions on a voluntary basis.  

Opening Hours: 05:00 - 20:00 daily
Location: Lake Ratchada, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
MRT: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
BTS: Asok
How to get there: From BTS (exit 4), walk about 5 minutes towards Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. If you take the MRT, walk towards Asok-Montri for about 5 minutes.

Benjasiri Park

Built in 1992 to celebrate Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday, Benjasiri Park is often referred to as 'Queen's Park'. This is definitely the place to be for sculpture lovers, as several of the best examples of Thai sculpture are scattered around the park. The centrepiece fountain, showcasing the work of master sculptor Mesium Yipinsoy, feature multimedia 'water dance' shows three times daily (at 6:00, 12:00 and 18:00). 

Although the central pond is not big enough to support paddle boats, Benjasiri Park offers outdoor sports facilities rarely found at other public parks, including a basketball court, roller skating/skateboarding rink, tennis court, outdoor swimming pool and a multi-purpose court for volleyball and sepak takraw.

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 21:00 daily
Location: Next to the Emporium Shopping Centre, Sukhumvit 23
BTS: Phrom Phong
How to get there: Take exit #6 from the BTS Skytrain Phrom Phong Station.

Chatuchak Park

Located right next to the Chatuchak Market, Chatuchak Park is a haven for health conscious people living north of downtown Bangkok. There are something for everyone at this park; some may walk or jog along the green tracks line or appreciate the beauty of nature in the Thai Literature and Herb Garden.

Others prefer to look at the fish from the bridges over the pond or row a boat. Recently, the old railroad golf course adjacent to the park's north end was turned into a public park too, with many tennis courts and soccer fields available for anyone to use. While you're there, make sure not to miss the Train Museum and Youth Traffic Garden.

Opening Hours: 04:30 - 21:00 daily
Location: Phahon Yothin Road, Chatuchak
MRT: Chatuchak Park
BTS: Mo Chit
How to get there: Both the BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway drop you right in front of the park.
Tour Available: Chatuchak Market In Bangkok

King Rama IX Park

Suan Luang Rama XI was constructed in commemoration of H.M. the King's 50th birthday anniversary in 1987. The park is divided into different zones starting with 'The Garden of the Great King', an homage area where auspicious Ratchapreuk trees, whose yellow colour signifies the colour of the King, can be found.

The next zone boasts botanical garden of various indoor plants, herbs, and desert vegetation. Rommanee Garden imitates the natural landscape of each region of Thailand. A water park in Zone 4 is a conservation area for aquatic creatures.

The last zone is 'Sanam Rat', a multi-purpose ground for sport activities and festivals. Other attractions in the park include an International Garden, a mini park showing unique landscape design from seven countries (China, Japan, Spain, England, France, Italy, and USA), the Rock Wall Garden, a Lotus Garden and Magnolia Corner. The famed Plants Festival is also worth checking out; an annual event of plant competitions, exhibitions, musical performances and cultural shows. Read More...

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 18:00 daily
Location: Sukhumvit 103, Nong Bon, Phrawet
How to get there: The nearest BTS Station is On Nut - from here, continue on taxi.

Queen Sirikit Park

Like the name suggests, this park is a tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her 50th Birthday Anniversary on 12 August 1992. Situated on a 22-hectare area adjacent to the Children's Discovery Museum, Queen Sirikit Park delights visitors with its vast, manicured landscape, featuring a botanical garden, sculpted pond, the Lotus and Water Lily Yard and the auspicious tree garden, where the auspicious trees from Thailand's 76 provinces are planted in a garden in the shape of Thailand's geographical map.

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 18:00 daily
Location: Kampaengphet 2 Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak
MRT: Chatuchak Park, Phahon Yothin
BTS: Mo Chit
How to get there: From BTS or MRT (Chatuchak Park), head towards Chatuchak Weekend Market, turn right at Kampangphet 3 Rd., and keep walking (about 10 min.) until you reach Children's Discovery Museum (the park is located in the same area).

Romaneenart Park

Close to the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat, Romaneenart Park is the only non-ceremonial park in the Old City area. Built on the site of the old city jail, Romaneenart Park retains one wall and some of the old guard towers as part of the park's architectural features, in addition to the neo-classical buildings in the style of King Rama V period.

A large number of fountains help keep the park cool in the middle of the big city. Romaneenart Park is on Siriphong Road, which runs from Wat Suthat down to Pahurat Textile Market in Bangkok's Little India section, next to Chinatown. 

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 21:00 daily
Location: Phra Nakhon (near Wat Sutat)
How to get there: Embark the Charo Phraya Express Boat to Memorial Bridge pier, then walk up Chakraphet Road.

Rot Fai Park

This golf course-turn-public park is set on a sprawling 148-acre area north of Chatuchak Weekend Market. The park’s expansive ground is relatively flat, with shaded jogging and bicycling tracks that run through the park and around the outer perimetre. Remnants of the old golf course can still be seen throughout – the long, narrow fairways, sand pitches and water obstacles – which have been transformed into vast Frisbee and football fields by lovers of the sports. One small section is retained as a golf course for young pros to practice their swing.

On weekends, the park is filled with families with small children who come for a picnic and bicycle excursion. A few highlights along the bicycle tracks include the train museum and the Butterfly Garden (open Tues-Sun, 8.30-16.30), which is a walk-in tent where you can watch the beautiful creatures feed on the nectars of various tropical blossoms. Other activities available at Rot Fai Park include tennis, swimming, basketball, petanque, sepak takraw, kayaking and sailing.

Opening Hours: 04:30 - 21:00 daily
Location: Kampaeng Phet 3 Road, Chatuchak
MRT: Chatuchak Park
BTS: Mo Chit
How to get there: From BTS or MRT (Chatuchak Park), head towards Chatuchak Weekend Market, turn right at Kampangphet 3 Rd, and keep walking pass Queen Sirikit Park until you almost reach the end.

Sanam Luang Park (The Royal Field)

Situated at the heart of Rattanakosin Island, Sanam Luang (the Royal Field) has been in existence since the founding of Bangkok (in 1782). The area was also known as 'Thung Pra Meru' (Royal Cremation Ground), because it was originally used for royal cremations up until the reign of King Rama III, when the king decreed that all cremations be held outside the old city walls.

Surrounded by famous attractions, such as the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the National Museum, National Gallery, the Supreme Court, and Ministry of Defense, Sanam Luang is a gathering ground for various activities throughout the year. Take part in the kite flying festival around March and see a plethora of colours in different shapes and sizes floating in the sky. Alternatively, have a family picnic in breezy late afternoon while watching an exciting game of sepak takraw (Asian football).

You can also feed the pigeons, or even have your fortune told! In May, Sanam Luang is the ceremonial ground for The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, which marks the beginning of the new planting season. It's when the royal oxen are brought out to plough the field, and to provide an omen for the coming plantation.

As the year draws to an end, people congregate at Sanam Luang to celebrate the King's birthday on December 5, Constitution Day on December 10, and to usher in the New Year. Once in four years when the national elections come around, Sanam Luang is also where intense and vociferous political campaigning takes place.

Location: Rattanakosin Island (near Khao San Road and the Grand Palace)
How to get there: Either take a taxi or embark the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Maharaj or Chang Pier.

Santichaiprakarn Park

Built around one of the few remaining structures of the old city fortifications, Santichaiprakan Park have become very popular with tourists and city dwellers, especially in the evening when the park fills up with families as well as young Thais and foreigners. Situated on the riverside, the park is one of the few places where you can witness the picturesque Bangkok sunset. On weekends, the park comes to live with street artists, who convene voluntarily to practice before a live audience (park visitors). 

The nearby Phra Artit Road has several eateries and 'chill-out' pubs and bars. You can also make your way to the famous Khao San Road, which is only a ten-minute walk away.

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 22:00 daily
Location: Sumeru Road, Phra Nakhon
How to get there: Embark the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Athit Pier (N13), or take a taxi.

Santiphap Park

Sitting right in the middle of the Victory Monument area, Santiphap Park may be smaller than other parks in Bangkok, but it's packed with activities, most of which are music-related. People sitting and enjoying the soft sound of Jazz while watching their children play is a common sight in this park. 

Opening Hours: 5:00 - 21:00 daily
Location: Between Ratchawithi Road and Rang Nam Road, Ratchathewi
BTS: Victory Monument
How to get there: From BTS Skytrain Victory Monument Station (Exit 4), turn right at the Victory Monument and keep walking for about five minutes and the park is on your right.