Attraction
The Grand Palace
Bangkok's former royal residence, a walled complex of throne halls, courtyards and the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha beside the Chao Phraya River.
Lumphini Park
Central Bangkok's best-loved green space, a 57-hectare park with a boating lake, jogging paths and resident monitor lizards beside the Silom business district.
At a glance
- Type
- Urban park
- Area
- Lumphini, Bangkok, Thailand
Good to know
- Free entry
- Lake
- Running paths
Why we recommend it
Lumphini Park is the green heart of central Bangkok, laid out on royal land that King Rama VI gave to the public in 1925 and named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal. Covering about 57 hectares between Rama IV Road, Ratchadamri Road, Wireless Road and Sarasin Road, it is the city's best-known park and a place where offices, embassies and hotels give way to lawns, trees and water. A statue of King Rama VI, erected in 1942, stands at the main entrance on the Silom side.
The large artificial lake sits at the centre of the park, with paddle boats for hire and paths that loop around its edges. The most famous residents are the Asian water monitor lizards, some of them well over a metre long, which bask on the banks and swim lazily across the lake; they are wild animals, so watch them from a distance. A jogging circuit of about two and a half kilometres runs round the park, and you will also find outdoor gyms, playgrounds, a public library and plenty of shaded benches. Bird life is varied, with dozens of species recorded.
The park is free to enter and opens very early in the morning until the evening. The best time to visit is early, when locals come out to run, cycle, practise tai chi and dance aerobics in the cooler air, or towards dusk. In the cooler months, free concerts are held in the park, including performances by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. At 18:00 the national anthem is played over loudspeakers and everyone stops where they are, so do the same.
Lumphini suits runners, families with young children, and anyone who needs a quiet hour away from traffic and shopping malls. Allow anything from half an hour for a stroll to a whole morning. Bring water and insect repellent around dusk. Several hotels and cafés overlook the park, and the streets around the Sala Daeng corner have plenty of places for breakfast after a morning walk.
The park is directly served by Si Lom and Lumphini stations on the MRT Blue Line and by Sala Daeng BTS station. Silom Road and the restaurants of Sala Daeng are across the road, and the Sukhumvit area is a short train ride away.
Lumphini Park FAQs
Is Lumphini Park free?
Yes, entry is free.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning or around dusk, when it is cooler and locals are exercising.
Are the monitor lizards dangerous?
They are wild animals; keep your distance and do not feed them.
Can you hire boats?
Yes, paddle boats can be hired on the lake.
Is there a running track?
Yes, a jogging circuit of about 2.5 km goes round the park.
How do I get there?
Si Lom or Lumphini MRT stations, or Sala Daeng BTS station.
Are there events?
Free concerts are held in the cooler months, including the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Is it good for children?
Yes, there are playgrounds, open lawns and the lake.