Lumphini Park, Bangkok สวนลุมพินี

Map of the Park

  This is an old and large park in the 'City of Angels'. King Rama VI had it created in 1925. This is why the former King's statue stands at one of the park main entrances near Silom. The park name derives from Lumbini, in Nepal, where Lord Buddha was born.

As it is located right in the center of the city and that it is really big, it operates like one of Bangkok breathing lung. There are many trees, plants and flowers. There are two man-made lakes on which you can rent and row a boat or a pedalo. It is particularly popular in the evening for crowds of joggers running the 2.5km jog track around the park. There are two places that also offer group exercises with music. But the park is a great way to get away from the city hustle & bustle, breathe some cooler air, take a stroll or sit in the shade near one of the lakes. The waters are populated by scores of monitor lizards, which do not seem to be too scared to walk across some of the lawns or even cross some of the park pathways. Some of these animals are so big that they can be mistaken for small crocodiles. You can see them any time, but it seems they are more actively taking their own stroll in the morning.  

Silom Skyline

Chinese Pagoda

The park has many interesting features. At the other entrance, near Sathorn, there is a big Chinese clock tower. Further away, there is a Chinese pagoda right across an open air gym, which attracts serious bodybuilders. There is also a Chinese white marble pavilion, an open air theater, a brand new public swimming-pool and a state-of-the-art gym next door. Toilets & showers are scattered everywhere in the park. There are some gazebos too. Children have their own playground corner. Of course, there are also a few statues as well and even a Buddhist shrine in one corner of the park.

In some aspect, this park resembles Central Park in New York, as it is now surrounded by skyscrapers.

It is also interesting to know that there is a quiet walk link along a khlong between Lumphini Park & Benjakiti Park further away. Many bikers use this path nowadays.

Christian Sorand

Websites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumphini_Park
• http://office.bangkok.go.th/office/ppdd/publicpark/english/mainpark/E_Lumpini.html