Bangkok may be a busy, crazy concrete jungle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax in some outdoor space. Bangkok has plenty of open green spaces for lounging on the grass, having a picnic, taking a nap, or watching the world go by. There are some unique spots in Bangkok where you can relax under the trees away from the hectic cityscape. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor spaces in Bangkok.
Chatuchak Park/ Image via Paul Trafford/ Flickr
Here Are Some Green Spaces in Bangkok
Chatuchak Park
Chatuchak, Rot Fai, and Queen Sirikit parks are all collectively grouped under Chatuchak Park or Chatuchak Discovery Garden. This land that was initially owned by the State Railway of Thailand was once a golf course but now is an important place for everyone to come and relax in the open air.
There is plenty to do in this collection of parks. You’ll find botanical gardens to look around; lotus ponds, a place to rent bikes and rowboats, football fields, a golf driving range, weightlifting equipment, a children’s museum, a butterfly garden, basketball courts, nature trails, and even a meditation center. This is an excellent place to spend an afternoon, whatever the weather. Find the park close to Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak MRT.
Benjakiti Park
This park in the heart of Bangkok off Sukhumvit Road is a pretty place with fountains, flower beds, and lakes. You will also find a meditation park, playgrounds, evening yoga classes, fitness equipment, jogging, and bike tracks.
Saranrom Park
Located east of the Grand Palace, Saranrom was previously the royal garden where the kings entertained. Today you will find elaborate pavilions and gazebos, monuments, pagodas, and flower gardens. The tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by the banyan trees and the teakwood villas.
Sanam Luang
This is a vast, grassy space that fronts the Grand Palace. Often this is the location for functions and festivities, but when these are not taking place, it is a good site for sitting to watch the sunset, enjoying a picnic, or simply relaxing.
Bang Kachao
Reach this mini island via a ferry from Bangkok. Bang Kachao is a preserved natural area home to coconut plantations, canals, forests, and bike paths that take you past tiny houses and some lovely urban “countryside.” This is a convenient way to get a little taste of rural life so close to the center of the city.
Suan Luang Rama IX (Rama IX Garden)
In the Eastern part of Bangkok, this park’s 80 hectares of green space is more than enough for your relaxation needs. The park includes a lake with pedal boats, playgrounds, a Japanese Zen garden, pavilions, lotus ponds, and botanical gardens with rare blooms. This is an excellent place to wander around on a weekday.
Lumpini Park/ Image via Prachanart Viriyaraks/ Flickr
Lumpini Park
This space has long been Bangkok’s favorite park. If you come to Bangkok, you’ll want to visit Lumpini for the open space, the greenness, and the views. You’ll find sculptures, pavilions, lakes, an indoor fitness center, swan boats, fish, thousands of trees, and various activities, from tai chi to yoga, dance classes to basketball. Come for the day and soak up the atmosphere, enjoying a little peace in the city’s heart.
Benchasiri Park
Benchasiri is a small park located next to Sukhumvit Road. There are children’s playgrounds, friendly grass spaces, basketball courts, and Thai pavilions to impact the skyline.
Santi Phap
Located close to the Victory Monument area, Santi Phap is a small green space next to Bangkok’s tallest building. At sunset, there is always a wide variety of things going on, from aerobics sessions to jogging. Two small ponds provide a pretty backdrop to the park.
Santichaiprakan Park
Also known as Phra Arthit Park, this is a riverside space that has a Thai-style wood sala and a small amount of grass. A tiny place to relax but you get good views of the river.
National Stadium
If you want a place to work out and get fit, this is the place for you. There are a variety of fitness facilities on offer, including football fields, jogging tracks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, weightlifting equipment, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and more. There may not be any trees or grass, but it’s the place to be for sports.
Chalerm Phrakiat
Bangkok fits in small sections of open green spaces wherever it can, including below the Saphan Taksin bridge on the Chao Phraya River. Inside this small park, also known as Saphan Taksin Park, are children’s playgrounds, badminton courts, basketball courts, jogging tracks, and training facilities.
