What is actually lacking a lot in Bangkok are free open spaces and parks. Lumphini Park though has been around for a long time, and offers a lot of greenery. Located quite centrally it is surrounded by major thoroughfares : Rama IV road in the south, Rajadamri road to the west, Withayu road to the east.
Unfortunately, the MRT (the Bangkok subway system) has stations very closeby (Silom station, Lumphini station) that are however not directly connected to the park. Using these stations, one has to be careful to cross major roads to get to the park.
The best access seems to be from the Rajadamri road station of the BTS (skytrain). It is a short walk from the Rajadamri station to the park entrance.
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Lumphini Park - Keeping the park clean |
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The park itself is very spacious and well kept, and at weekdays it is hardly crowded. There is a substantial artificial lake and one can hire a boat to go paddling (or rather 'cycling') on it for a modest fee.
The park also has one of the few public libraries in Bangkok, and a well used open-air exercise facility. In the early morning one can observe the practising of Tai-Chi.
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Lumphini Park - Public Library with building on Rama IV in the background |
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No pets are allowed, so you can unfortunately no go there to walk the dog. What is not quite understandable is that there are apparently no outlets where one can buy water or other drinks, so bring it along with you from outside if you want to spend some time walking or cycling there, the heat of Bangkok can be very taxing. The park is well used by joggers of all ages. On walking through it, we did not notice any facility that had bikes for rent. Cycling would otherwise be a good way of checking out the park and exercise a bit.
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Lumphini Park - Lots of boats but hardly any users |
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When walking around it is quite obvious that a lot of people are involved in keeping the park clean and tidy.
There are many benches and covered pavillions, so if you want you can relax quite conveniently and read a good book. Lots of birds (of course a lot of pigeons) that are not at all very worried of staying in proximity of humans.
At the southwestern corner is a statue of Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty. Official ceremonies are sometimes performed there.
P.S. : What about the name Lumphini Park? Well, Lumphini Park is named after the birthplace of the Buddha in Nepal.
.jpg "Sathorn Road - Lumphini Park")
