Many people associate Bangkok with a multimillion-dollar "anthill", where traffic does not slow down for a minute. Here, in an incredible way, chic skyscrapers that cut the sky and hypnotize with their mirror shine, shopping centers of incredible sizes, magnificent parks and gardens with a riot of greenery and flowers, Buddhist temples filled with an atmosphere of peace and mystery, wooden and metal barracks, the so-called slum exotic. Narrow narrow streets intersect with huge highways. One gets the impression of a chaotic incessant traffic, where thousands of people move by private and public transport, and exhaust gases from cars and motorcycles, aromas from restaurants and street cafes just hang over their heads. But, despite the alarming ecology of the city, there are many "green zones" in it, which allow maintaining the natural balance. And today we will focus on the best parks in Bangkok.
Lumpini
First of all, I would like to tell you about the oldest park in Bangkok - Lumpini. This is the largest urban park area, with an area exceeding 500 sq. m. and organized in the old part of the city. Founded by King Rama VI in the last century. This gift to the residents of the city was to become a place not only for recreation, but also an exhibition center for flowers and Thai crafts. The idea of creating such an open-air exhibition was realized for many years, but gradually the goals of unity with nature took a dominant place. Lumpini is today considered a recognized meeting place for sunrise and sunset watching.
Here you can meet elderly people who are keen on health-improving gymnastics, and couples in love, located along the banks of reservoirs, and a lot of people who go in for sports. Parklands in Bangkok are uniquely considered healthy lifestyle areas. And Lumpini is no exception. Smoking and drinking alcohol is prohibited here. Although at the entrance, cunning merchants try to offer tourists who do not know the law a can of cool beer and cola. But non-compliance with Thai laws is fraught with huge fines, and the police appear here as if from nowhere. Therefore, the atmosphere of order and tranquility is present in any green area of the capital.
Only towering skyscrapers remind that this is the city center. Blooming alleys and intricate paths magically lure visitors into the depths of the park. Walking through these labyrinths, you can observe the life of various reptiles everywhere. Lumpini is also called the lizard park. Reptiles feel great here and walk without restrictions. They are calm and satisfying. Nobody breaks their measured life. Particularly large representatives, as a rule, are located a little far from visitors, on the other side of water bodies, where no paths are laid.
Monitor lizards can calmly approach people and treat themselves to the food offered to them, they can accompany the runners, making a short run with them, only at a distance. Water bodies also attract attention with their inhabitants. Everywhere from the water show their mouths of different types of turtles and fish, also lovers of food. Exotic flora, unusual fauna, peace and quiet of Lumpini allow its visitors to forget for a while that it is in the very heart of a huge city. Open for free visits from 04:30 to 21:00. The most convenient way to get there is by metro. The entrance is located opposite the Silom or Lumphini stations.
Chatuchak
The next natural oasis in Bangkok is Chatuchak. It has been open since the last century, and is also considered popular and one of the most visited. It got its name from the eponymous market in the north of the capital. The territory of this green zone is indented with small canals with miniature bridges, which makes it possible not only to ride a boat, but also to observe the voracious inhabitants of the reservoirs. It is here that the Garden of Healing Herbs, isolated from the general territory, will surprise visitors with its diversity. The coolness of the shady alleys will allow you to spend time usefully: you can do sports and read a book in peace.
High attendance predetermined its territorial expansion. Two more new recreation areas have been added to the main square. Today it houses a golf course, modern ball courts and tennis courts. Open to visitors from 04:30 to 21:00. The main entrance is located opposite the Chatuchak Park Metro Station.
Santihap
Santihap, conceived by the Thais as a venue for musical celebrations, concerts and festivals. Geographically, it is located between Rang Nam Rd and Ratchawithi Rd streets, near the Victory Monument. It is inferior in area to other recreation areas in the capital, but its size does not diminish its importance in the least. In this place, the townspeople can combine outdoor recreation and visiting music venues, different in themes and genres. They come here both in pairs and whole families with children, introducing kids to music from early childhood. The largest number of people Santihap gathers during jazz concerts and festivals. Entrance for visitors from 05:00 to 21:00.
Sanam Luang
On the island of Rattanakosin, the world famous Sanam Luang or the Royal Field is located. External surroundings and internal atmosphere allow its visitors to get closer and get in touch with the history of Bangkok. Since the city's founding, this land has historically been identified as the site of the cremation of the royal people of Thailand. It was moved outside the old city wall only in the 19th century, by order of King Rama III. It is here that official ceremonies, religious celebrations, mass cultural events and various festivals have always been held. Every square meter of the area surrounding Sanam Luang is associated with history.
The names of the landmarks in the vicinity of the Royal Field speak for themselves: Great Royal Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Supreme Court and Ministry of Defense, National Gallery and National Museum. The Royal Field Park is always a place where a large number of people gather. Rattanakosin Island not only “celebrates” significant holidays for the country - Constitution Day, the King’s birthday, New Year, but also “gathers” people for political rallies and processions. The location is isolated from the bustle of the city, away from public transport lines. You can get here either by taxi or by river transport. There are two berths for guests on the island - Chang and Maharaj.
Queen Sirikit Park
Queen's Park is located in the immediate vicinity of the Children’s Discovery Museum. It was opened in 1992 for the anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Luxurious, refined landscapes, organized on an area of more than 20 hectares, are mesmerizing from the first moments of your stay. A huge botanical garden opens up to your eyes. The landscape, like magic beads, is adorned with graceful ponds and pools, where the surface of the water is covered with flowers of water lilies and lotuses, exquisite stone paths, along the edges of which exotic plants are fragrant.
A huge collection of rare tree species collected from all regions of Thailand can rightfully be called a special accent of this landscape ensemble. These landings are organized into a single space and are designed in the form of a geographical map of the kingdom. To get to this place, you will need to walk from the Chatuchak Park or Phahon Yothin metro station. First, you need to move in the direction of the Chatuchak market, and then in the direction of the children's museum. This walk will take no more than 30 minutes.
King Rama IX park
It was founded in 1987 for the 50th anniversary of His Majesty the King. This is a magnificent botanical garden, the territory of which is divided into thematic zones. The dominant place is occupied by the "Garden of the Great King".The golden yellow crowns of the Ratchapreuk trees in this area symbolize the royal power and wealth of Thailand and set the general tone for the entire landscape ensemble. During the walk, visitors discover a variety of natural oases: a zone where many species of ornamental and medicinal plants are collected, the Rommanee Garden, which conveys the landscape landscape of all the provinces of the country, a water park with aquatic inhabitants and the Sanam Rat multifunctional zone, designated as a place for sports events and festivals.
There are also smaller, but no less attractive areas - the international garden, the garden of stone walls, magnolias and lotuses. Attracting with their uniqueness, they make visitors explore every corner. When planning time for a walk, you need to determine enough of it in order to have time to appreciate the magnificence of its entire territory. Opens at 5 am and ends at 6 pm. It is located on Sukhumvit Street. In order not to waste energy on the road and searches, the easiest way to get here is by taxi.
Muang boran
Muang Boran or Ancient City is an open-air museum, on the territory of which there are more than 100 full-size copies of the most beautiful palaces, temples, and other structures from all over Thailand. This is the largest museum of its kind in the world, its area is 320 hectares, and in order to get at least a general idea of the exhibits, you should set aside at least 4 hours in your schedule. The presented buildings are divided into three types: copies of existing in Thailand (sometimes fragments of real prototypes are used in buildings) buildings; structures that existed earlier, but did not survive to our time; as well as the fruits of the imagination of Thai architects - buildings that exist only in legends and myths.
The territory cannot be bypassed on foot, a tram for tourists runs along Muang Boran, however, the guide leads the tour in Thai, but you can take an audio guide. Bicycles are provided free of charge, you can rent a golf car for money. Travelers by car will be allowed to move around the park in it. Opening hours from 9 to 19 hours, the cost of an adult ticket is 350 baht.
Dream World amusement park
Dream World - Disneyland in Thai can be found near Don Mueang Airport. It creates a lot of impressions for tourists of all ages. The rides are divided into several zones, depending on the age and preferences of tourists. Among them is the Dream World Plaza - a central gathering point for visitors, a venue for shows and carnivals. Dream Garden will delight fans of blooming flower beds, beautiful sculptures and impressive photographs. Adventure Land is an extreme area for adults and grown-up children. Finally, Fantasy Land will open the door to the dwellings of fairytale heroes - the house of Snow White, the Sleeping Beauty, the abode of a giant.
Also, for a fee, you can get into a real winter in the Snow Town, with all its inherent entertainments. There is also a small water park, a farm with animals and a room with puppies that you can pet. It is worth spending the whole day here, in the evenings it closes with a parade of cartoon characters and fireworks. Dream World works from 10 to 17 hours on weekdays, from 10 to 19 on weekends. The cost of an adult ticket to all zones is 800 baht, by the way, you can buy a ticket without visiting the attractions for 180 baht, and pay for tickets for your favorite carousels separately (from 40 to 80 baht per attraction).
Siam Park City
The name of the largest amusement park in Bangkok is derived from the names of its "owners" - kittens Si and Am. In fact, this is a water park and an amusement park, collected in one place, on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Water Park boasts a 13,600 sqm artificial wave pool, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and there are plenty of other water attractions. Land areas are represented by children's Small World with horses, carousels and other entertainments for the little ones; Fantasy World with a variety of attractions such as flying saucers, orbits and the like.
Family World is suitable for the whole family - here you can see dinosaurs in Dinotopia or Jurassic Park, ride on a two-story carousel. Finally, the X-Zone with 10 breathtaking rides awaits extreme lovers. A full day in Siam with unlimited access to all areas for an adult will cost 900 baht. The opening hours of the park are from 10 am to 6 pm, the water park is from 10 am to 6 pm daily.
Safari world
Safari World is a must-see for animal lovers and children. On a huge territory, wild animals living here in their natural habitat move freely. It is divided into two parts, which can be visited both together and separately. In the Safari World, you can meet lions, tigers, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, ostriches and zebras. You can drive along the 5-kilometer road both by your own car and by a regular bus, and at no additional charge.
The second part - the Marine world (Marine park) - will introduce you to the inhabitants of the seas and not only. Various shows with dolphins, seals, birds and crocodiles are held here every day. Do not miss the opportunity to feed the giraffes, this is the most vivid impression of visiting the Safari World. Opening hours from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays, from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends. The cost of visiting a safari for an adult is 800 baht, Sea World - 1000 baht, a general ticket will cost 1200 baht. For a fee, you can ride a boat on the river.
Benjakiti
Benjakiti is a relatively new park, opened in 2004 and occupying an area of 20 hectares, unlike other similar places in Bangkok, and in Thailand as a whole. Here you will not find Thais walking with animals, arranging family picnics. This is a place for romantic walks and sports, a kind of island of solitude and a healthy lifestyle. In the middle of this place there is an artificial lake, and a jogging track about 2 kilometers long was laid around it. You can just walk around the lake, during the daytime skyscrapers standing around are reflected in its mirrored surface, and in the evening numerous lanterns are lit, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Bicycle paths are also broken here, and bicycles can be rented for a symbolic 40 baht. You can ride a catamaran or boat on the lake. It is pleasant to walk along the shady alleys even on a very hot day. The park is well-groomed, decorated with sculptures and other elements of landscape design. Perhaps, for the sake of Benjakiti, you should not specially come to Bangkok, but once in the city, you can spend a few hours here. Admission is free, opening hours are from 5 to 20 hours daily.
Princess Mother Memorial Park
The Princess Mother Memorial Park is an architectural proof of filial love and the love of the people. It was built in honor of Princess Srinakarin, mother of King Rama IX and "common mother" for all Thais. The princess was born into an ordinary, ordinary family, and did a lot for the needs of the common population. A copy of the house in which Srinakarin spent her youth was recreated here, a gorgeous garden was laid out, a belvedere with a statue of a princess was installed. There are two exhibition halls, the expositions of which tell about the life of the princess and her benefits.
It is curious that when the park was just about to be built, and it turned out that nothing remained of the real house of the princess-mother, the owners of nearby houses gave their property to the king so that a memorial in honor of the people's mother could be erected. The souvenir shop located on the territory of the memorial garden sells products that are made in institutions under the patronage of Srinakarin, and the funds raised go to charity. The garden is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm and admission is free.
Dusit Zoo
This zoo, of course, loses to the same Safari World, since it is located in the center of Bangkok and does not have enough space to comfortably accommodate its inhabitants. But you can have fun here too, especially with children. Initially, a botanical garden was located here, so the territory is green and beautiful, then only members of the royal family could visit the garden, and in 1938 Dusit was opened to the public. More than 1,500 animals and birds live here, including rare ones such as the barking deer and the white tiger. On the big lake you can go boating, feed turtles and fish.
You can walk along the path located at a height of 10 meters among the trees, spying on monkeys and giraffes. The latter can be fed, as well as hippos, sheep and some other guests of the zoo. Free sea shows are held daily in Dusit. You can move around the territory by bicycles, on foot or on a special tram. An adult ticket costs 150 baht and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
