Parks And Gardens in Bangkok

Benchasiri Park

Shaded amidst high-ceilinged edifices on Sukhumvit Road, Benchasiri Park is a small, but well-maintained recreational area of Bangkok. The park poses a rather distinctive charm, mainly due to its unique positioning in the midst of urban clamor. It is next to the famous Emporium Shopping Center that stands in the heart of the business district of the city. Sprawled across a 29-rai plot, this picturesque public park was set up to pay tribute to 'Her Majesty the Queen' on her 60th birthday, on August 12, 1992.

The green landscape of the park is eye-catching, with vistas of soft grasses spreading in all the directions, shaded under the warmth of the sapphire sky above. The whole park is enveloped with a large variety of trees that shelter it from the scorching summer sun, thus providing a cool and utterly peaceful environment. With ceaselesslyquivering leaves, these lofty trees act as perfect carriers of windy messages to people visiting the park and thus offer excellent opportunities for unwinding and relaxing.

Besides natural beauty, the park also presents some very beautiful sculptures and other works of art. There is a 3-metre-tall sculpture of H.M. the Queen in a standing position, made in low relief. Apart from that, there are two Thai style pavilions displaying H.M. the Queen's kind of activities. Contemporary sculptures, musical fountain, forest garden, a huge pond, a health garden, children's playground, a skating rink, basketball & tra-kraw courts and swimming pools are some other highlights of this park.

Chatuchak Park

Located in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok, on Kampaengphet 1 Road, the beautiful Chatuchak Park spreads over an area of 30.4 hectares. Set in the midst of lush surroundings, the park is a haven for nature lovers and health conscious people residing in the provinces of Northern Bangkok. It is also just a stone's throw from the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is the largest weekend market inThailand. Therefore, the park remains crammed during the weekends, when most people come to warm up, before hitting the unending mazes of stalls in the Chatuchak bazaar.

Chatuchak Park not only boasts of being the largest park in Northern Bangkok, but is also one of the oldest parks in the city. Its construction began in 1975, on the land donated by the State Railway of Thailand. However, it was officially opened only on December 4, 1980. From the time of its inauguration till date, the park has been gratifying the needs of many. Surrounded by abundant greenery, the park has a huge campus, a Health Centre and many jogging tracks. These areas are absolute delight for people who come here either to catch lungfuls of fresh air or to stretch their weary nerves.

Besides, there is an artificial lake located in the middle of the park, with several Fish Watching Bridges topping it. There are rowing facilities available in the lake and many people visiting the park love to paddle their way around, appreciating the surrounding sense of calm. Some also prefer to while away their time standing on these bridges, watching and feeding the pretty fishes that bob and play underwater. At hand, there is the Thai Literature Garden and Herb Garden, which also attracts many. In addition, the feature that is most fascinating for children is the train museum located inside the park.

Sanam Luang

The oval field of Sanam Luang, in Phra Nakhon district, is probably one of the most historic sites in Bangkok. Sprawled in front of the Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, this large field associates its name with important celebrations in Thailand. It serves as the venue for national celebrations, including the King's Birthday, Royal Ploughing Ceremony, New Year Festival, Kite Flying Competitions, etc. Since the reign of Rama I, the park has also served as the site for conducting many royal cremation ceremonies.

Owing to its use as a cremation ground, the official name of Sanam Luang was 'Thung Phra Mane' (the royal cremation ground), until the year 1855, when King Rama IV changed it to 'Thong Sanam Luang'. It has now been abridged to 'Sanam Luang', but sometimes is popularly known as 'Phramen Ground'. During the reign of King Rama IV, a place was established in the park, including the set up of walls, a small hall, pavilions and towers, for performing the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the Ceremony of Calling the Rain.

The small hall inside the park served as a shrine for holding the image of Lord Buddha during the Rain Calling Ceremony. The pavilions and towers were used to watch the events of the Ploughing Ceremony. Later, when King Rama V became the King, he enlarged Sanam Luang, demolished all the buildings and cleared the field for the Centennial Celebration of Bangkok. With Rama VI succeeding the throne of Thailand, Sanam Luang also found usage as a racetrack and a golf course, besides being used a ceremonial ground.

Today, this 30-acre park serves as an idyllic getaway for many locals and tourists. As the park is strategically located near some major tourist attractions of the city, it experiences heavy tourist footfalls. In afternoons, especially during the weekends, many people visit the park for enjoying family picnics. Moreover, during the evenings, one can witness people taking lazy strolls around the park. Beginning March until May, Sanam Luang also emerges as a popular spot for watching the traditional Thai kite flying events.

Lumpini Park

Named after Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini in Nepal, Lumpini Park presents an ideal breathing space for many Bangkok people. Laid in a huge area of 140 acres, it is located in the business district of Bangkok, on the north side of Rama IV Road, between Ratchadamri Road and Witthayu Road. A display house of profuse greenery, in the form of grass, trees and gardens, the park is a favorite hangout for local Thais, expatriates as well as tourists. Besides its striking vegetation, the park is home to the Lumpini Public Library, which served as the first public library of Thailand.

What generates the unbridled popularity of the park is its overwhelming greenery that stretches all around. There are ripe trees and well-maintained gardens inside, which attracts swarms of early morning visitors, in the form of health-conscious citizens and Tai Chi practitioners. The open areas of the park are endowed with facilities like open-air gyms, courts for takraw and badminton, and bicycle tracks that are quite popular among the health freaks. Another distinguishing feature of the park is an artificial lake with boating facilities, which is especially thronged by tourists and children.

A statue of King Rama VI rests at the southwestern entrance to the park facing Silom. The statue honors the King, who bequeathed to his people the land on which the park stands today, in the year 1925. A Chinese-style clock tower, built in 1925, is also placed in the Sathorn corner of the park, which evokes the memories an erstwhile fair held in the park grounds before the King's death. A visit to Lumphini Park, especially during winters, is a must, when its Palm Garden features classical music by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and several other bands across the country.

King Rama IX Royal Park

Picturesquely huddling the eastern side of Bangkok is the magnificent ground of the King Rama IX Royal Park. Commemorating the 60th anniversary of King Rama IX, it saw inauguration in the year 1987. Popularly known as Bangkok Suan Luang King Rama IX Park, this 200-acre park is probably one of the most exquisite parks all over Thailand. Poured with trees, flowers, shrubs, landscaped gardens and lakes, the place offers an ideal respite for many city torn people and tourists visiting Bangkok.

The entire park sets aside six main areas of interest for visitors - Homage to His Majesty, The Botanical Garden, The Reservoir, Rommaniya Garden, The Sanam Rasdara and The Water Garden. Each of these areas holds its own charm in the form of botanical gardens, aquatic pleasures and various other recreational options. The 'Homage to his Majesty' area sprawls across 8.4 acres and houses the striking nine-sided Commemoration Hall (Ratchamongkol Hall) that displays works inspired by the King and countless other royal artifacts.

'The Botanical Garden', separated into many slices, stands on an area of 60 acres. Its fairytale beauty, along with its breathtaking venues, makes this spot the favorite corner of many visitors. Those who want to witness the archetypal natural landscape of Thailand should trip to the 'Rommaniya Garden' that features mountains, waterfalls, streams and forested areas of the country. The lush beauty and natural diversity of the place is also magnified with the help of different plant species and stones.

Another tourist hotspot is the artificial lake 'Prapang Kaew Keb Nam' in 'The Reservoir' area of the park. This artificial lake offers scores of water sports and serves as the ideal venue for various cultural activities. Apart from that, the 'Sanam Rasdara', the large grassy area of the park, presents various delights in the form of sporting events, musical performances and outdoor concerts for the public. The 'Water Garden' in the park is another quaint corner that houses various exotic species of birds and aquatic plants.

Princess Mother Memorial Park

Princess Mother Memorial Park, located in the Klong Sarn district of Bangkok, honors Princess Mother 'HRH Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromrajajonnani'. It was erected under the royal command of His Majesty, the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who wanted to preserve buildings located near his mother's previous residence and present them in the form of a museum. Apart from honoring his mother through a commemorative museum, he also wanted to remodel the surrounding areas as a public park and dedicate it to his people. This is how the scenic Princess Memorial Park took form.

The entire park is picturesquely divided into two distinct areas - a general area and a beautifully done conservation site. The general area decks in a wide variety of exotic plants like Cham-manad, Lun Tom and Pud-Jeeb, and serves as a perfect venue for leisure activities and seasonal merriments. The place is also used as a site for conducting various exhibitions, including display of traditional arts and crafts. Besides, the restful atmosphere and the lush foliage that surrounds the park give rich insights to the floral wealth in Thailand.

The conservation area of the park holds the actual treasures of the place. There is a traditional Thai house, which is actually the replica of the house that the Princess Mother used to reside in, during her early days. In addition, a quaint museum stands in the park, compiling the biography, projects and various activities of the Princess Mother, thus acting like a royal memorabilia. This section of the park also houses an academic building that is used for a number of functions - exhibition, reading, and other activities.

Sri Pipat Art Center Building and the office building are two other important zones of the park. The Art Center is used as an art and cultural exhibition hall, whereas the office building provides for an office for the park officials. An octagonal marquee built to celebrate the 96th birthday of the Princess Mother, her solemn statue and a large engraved stone plate also rests in this conservation area. Princess Mother Park, with its alluring gardens and beautiful assortment of ancient and contemporary buildings is an excellent place to witness the rich legacy of Thai culture, tradition, and family values.

Queen Sirikit Park

Established on 12th August 1992, to honor the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Sirikit Park is probably one of the most attractive botanical gardens in Bangkok. Not only does it serve as an ideal picnic spot for locals as well as tourists, but, with its wealth of floral species, it is also a great learning centre for understanding the flora of Thailand. This 200-rai paradise adjoins the Chatuchak Weekend Market and stands between Kamphaeng Phet 2 and Kamphaeng Phet 3 Roads.

With its huge area of 200 rai (120,000sq m), and its diverse collection of over 2,000 species of local and foreign plants, Queen Sirikit park acts as an idyllic sanctuary to enjoy breezy evenings and chiming birdsongs. Its vast expanse of grassy stretches and unperturbed surrounds also offers wonderful opportunities for taking leisurely evening strolls. Besides its natural treats, the park also shelters many man-made attractions within its realms.

There is a sparkling pool inside the park, garlanded with different varieties of flowers and three beautiful fountains that dance to the sound of music. The Botanical Gardens inside the park, such as 'The Lotus Garden', 'The Banana Garden', 'The Hibiscus Yard' and 'The Frangipani Yard', present equally delightful attractions, with their floral treasures. Especially, the Lotus Garden is a rare sight, with geometrically shaped pools and a diverse assortment of colorful lotuses.

The park also decks in landscaped flowerbeds that girdle its numerous walkways. There are benches shaded by climbers, laid out in different corners of the park. Another key draw is the expertly laid out 'Provincial Tree Garden'. Fashioned as the map of Thailand, this garden marks each province with a tree that is local to that area. Thus, this tree garden not only adds on to the distinctiveness of the park, but also presents the plant life of Thailand in an entirely new light.

However, the most remarkable nature of Queen Sirikit Park is that it is the first garden in Thailand that caters to the needs of the visually impaired. Its beauty is open to the blind in the form of Braille information signs. In addition, the park is also equipped with automatic speakers that provide requisite information whenever anyone passes by. Queen Sirikit Park is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. During weekends and public holidays, its operating hours are from 10 am to 6 pm. It remains closed on Mondays.

Santiphap Park

The cityscape of Bangkok is known for its concrete wealth that juts out in the form of many titanic monuments, palaces and buildings. However, in the midst of this stony jungle in Thailand rests some utterly tranquil and green stretches such as the Santiphap Park. Located between Rachavithee and Rangnam Road, in urban Bangkok, the place positions a striking contrast to its unruly surrounds. The park keeps up to its name 'Santiphap', which means 'Peace' in Thai. In fact, the name of the park literally translates to 'Park of Peace', and thus commemorates the peace after the end of World War II.

Santiphap Park is similar in style to the Benchasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road, though its overall size is relatively smaller. The whole area stretches approximately for 20 rais (32,000 sq. m.). Due to its small size, the green spaces in the park remain spotlessly clean and sparkling. Thick shades of trees speckling it impart an equally neat and planned look. However, the best part is that even though the place has limited confines, it provides excellent options for jogging and exercising.

Besides, what makes the park unique is the overpowering sense of calm and silence that envelops it. The place remains eerily quite and is therefore, best visited if you want to undertake a solitary sojourn to the depths of nature. Nothing can beat the charm of an early morning stroll in this park. Simple recline in the lap of nature and inhale the bracing beauty, or catch some excellent view of the Baiyoke Sky Tower from here. Another element that heightens the beauty of this park is an eye-catching fountain located in the heart of its grounds.