Tired of Bangkok’s hustle and bustle? Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s biggest park, provides an escape without actually getting out of the city.
Named after Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, Lumphini Park is a rare expanse of green in the heart of the city. This 142-acre public park was built in the 1920s, once a property of King Rama VI, who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to Bangkok’s residents. A statue of King Rama VI stands at the main entrance at the southwestern corner, right opposite MRT Silom station.
There is a large artificial lake in the park surrounded by a cycle track. You can rent boats for 40 baht. Cycling is officially allowed only from 10am to 3pm. The park is popular among fitness enthusiasts. It’s so big and conducive for running, walking, working out (there are outdoor equipment as well as a playground for kids), skateboarding, outdoor sports like badminton, as well as dancing. I read somewhere that free aerobic classes are held in the afternoons.
There’s also a public library but I didn’t get to enter. Pay 40 baht for a year-long membership that gives you access to air-conditioned dance halls, swimming area, tennis courts, and indoor gym. Not bad, right? Oh, and smoking is not allowed in the park.
Besides working out, you can also bird-watch, feed fishes in the lake, and just walk and people-watch. Which was what I did. I went on a Monday morning so it was very quiet. There were few people exercising, running mostly, although there was a group of seniors who were doing Tai Chi. There were also kids on the playground. At one point, a Thai song (which I assumed was their national anthem) played and everyone just stopped what they were doing and stood straight. I just did the same, stopped walking and stood straight.
You’d think just walking around Lumphini Park is easy and chill… but no. It was still a bit tiring because it was so big (I didn’t even get to see everything even though I was there for 2 hours) and even at 8am, it’s already hot. Maybe dusk is a better time to hang out here.
I imagine this park is brimming with life on weekends. Sundays are particularly lively, I was told, because artists and musical acts like the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra occasionally put on performances. I look forward to coming back for a weekend visit and seeing the difference. 🙂
After a tiring walk around Lumphini Park, I grabbed a late breakfast at Heritage Bistro French Bakery in Silom. I had croque monsieur and an iced latte. The croque monsieur was decent but nothing to rave about. The iced latte was good though. I probably will come back for the coffee but not for the food.
How to Get to Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is located at 139/4 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Open from 5am to 9pm daily. Free admission.
Take the BTS Skytrain and get off at Sala Daeng. The park is a 10-15 minute walk from the station. You can also take the MRT and get off at either Silom station or Lumphini station. This one’s nearer the main entrance of the park.
How to Get to Heritage Bistro French Bakery
Heritage Bistro French Bakery is located at 14/2-3 Convent Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Open from 7:30am to 11pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 7:30am to 6pm on Sundays.
Take the BTS Skytrain and get off at Sala Daeng station. Walk along Silom Road towards Convent Road. Heritage is a 5-10 minute walk from the station.
What are your favorite parks all over the world? Share your travel stories in the comments!
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