Leaf the City Behind at Bangkok’s Best Parks

Bangkok may be a bustling metropolis, but it’s also home to some of the most beautiful green spaces. Whether you’re in the mood for a lakeside paddle, a cycling adventure, or just a shady spot to unwind with a picnic and book, the city’s public parks offer a refreshing escape just minutes from the urban grind. 

So pack some snacks, grab your walking shoes, and let’s explore the best parks where you can breathe easy and reconnect with nature. Be sure to scroll to the bottom for a handy Google Map of all these wonderful parks and more.

Lumpini Park: Bangkok’s First Public Park

Lumpini Park (สวนลุมพินี) — Bangkok’s first public park — will turn 100 years old in 2025. This 360-rai (57.6-hectare) park is a vibrant green space in the heart of the city where locals, tourists, and professionals come to jog, relax, and enjoy outdoor activities. From Tai Chi and social dancing to music, games, and reading in the park’s library, it offers something for everyone.

The park is home to notable landmarks like the King Rama VI statue and features inclusive facilities such as the Smiling Sun Ground (Lan Tawan Yim) for people with disabilities, the Bangkok Elder Citizens Club, the Home of Hope for homeless children, and the Lumpini Youth Center. 

Visitors can also enjoy paddle boats on the lake, affordable food at the Sri Thai Derm Food Center, monthly Buddhist activities, and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra’s Concert in the Park, making it a true urban oasis.

Benjakitti Forest Park: An Eco-Innovative Sponge Park

Benjakitti Forest Park (สวนเบญจกิติ), Bangkok’s newest urban green space, is a sprawling 450-rai (72-hectare) eco-park transformed from a former tobacco factory into a lush, flood-resilient forest park that can absorb up to 128,000 cubic meters of rainwater.

As Bangkok’s first park with a forested zone, it blends sustainability with recreation through marshes, reservoirs, and winding nature trails. Visitors can explore its extensive running, cycling, and walking paths, as well as enjoy sports courts, cafes, and community events at its amphitheatre and repurposed factory buildings. 

The park also features a rice field, herbarium, and a royal exhibition honoring Queen Sirikit’s contributions to forestry. Designed to serve both people and the planet, Benjakitti offers a dog park, cultural spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects Bangkok’s evolving urban landscape.

King Rama IX Park: A Royal Tribute

King Rama IX Park, also known as Suanluang Rama IX (สวนหลวง ร.9), is in the eastern district of Prawet. Opened to the public on December 1st, 1987 as a tribute to King Rama IX’s 60th birthday anniversary and a showcase of botanical and cultural diversity, the park is divided into themed zones spanning 500 rai (80 hectares).

These include a royal pavilion and museum, a vast botanical garden with greenhouses and a lotus pond, a flood-control reservoir now used for water sports, and nature-inspired landscapes like Romanee Garden and the Water Garden, which mimic habitats from across Thailand. 

Visitors can enjoy outdoor performances at the central lawn, explore international gardens from China to Italy, and relax amid diverse flora and tranquil ponds.

Nong Bon Lake Park & Water Sports Center

At 644 rai (103.04 hectares), Nong Bon Lake Park (สวนสาธารณะศูนย์กีฬาบึงหนองบอน) is the largest of Bangkok’s 25 royal initiative water retention areas (known as “monkey cheeks”) and has helped manage floods and droughts in the eastern suburbs since 2008. Surrounding the reservoir is a 100-rai public park filled with lush trees and blooming flowers.

In addition to various water activities for exercise and fun, there are also water sports lessons for those who are interested. Just sign up to be a member. There are two classes: Session 1 at 1:00 pm and Session 2 at 4:00 pm.

The cycling path is divided into two lanes for professional and amateur cyclists, with traffic signs and CCTV for public safety

Chatuchak Park: A Squirrel Sanctuary

Chatuchak Park (สวนจตุจักร) is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most accessible green spaces, sitting right next to the famous weekend market. Though it’s surrounded by a busy shopping and business district, the 155-rai (24.8-hectare) park feels surprisingly serene. Locals call it “Squirrel Park” for a reason — you’ll often spot dozens of friendly squirrels darting through the trees, completely unfazed by joggers and picnickers.

What makes Chatuchak Park stand out is its literary garden, where you’ll find plants and trees featured in classic Thai literature — bamboo, butterfly pea, Indian coral tree — each marked with references to the stories they came from. The park is also a favorite for morning jogs, sunset strolls, and relaxed family outings. 

Its layout connects to Queen Sirikit Park and Wachirabenchathat Park (a.k.a. Rot Fai Park), making the entire green zone one of the largest urban park networks in the city.

Queen Sirikit Park: A Botanical Classroom

Queen Sirikit Park (สวนสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ) is a botanical haven in Bangkok, meticulously planned to combine education, conservation, and recreation. Within the 196-rai (31.36-hectare) park, visitors will find themed gardens such as the 76 Provinces Garden, the Thai Flora Building, a butterfly-friendly area, and a massive lotus pond.

Known for its peaceful water features shaped like the Thai letters “ส” and “S,” the park is also famous for its seasonal displays of golden shower trees and pinkish-purple Queen’s crape myrtle. A giant lotus pond serves as a tranquil highlight for visitors.

It’s also home to the Bangkok Children’s Discovery Museum, making it perfect for families. Prohibited activities include cycling, smoking, and bringing pets. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and running trails. Visit for a peaceful walk, floral photography, or just a quiet retreat from the city.

Wachirabenchathat Park (Rot Fai Park): Sporty and Active

Wachirabenchathat Park (สวนวชิรเบญจทัศ) or Rot Fai Park (สวนรถไฟ) (literally, “Railway Park”) is one of Bangkok’s most activity-packed green spaces. 

Originally part of the State Railway of Thailand’s golf course, it’s now a sprawling 375-rai (60-hectare) public park beloved for its laid-back atmosphere and variety of attractions. You’ll find cycling lanes, paddleboat rentals, birdwatching opportunities, and even a butterfly and insect garden. There’s also a traffic-themed kids’ city, splash fountains, and what’s claimed to be the tallest water fountain in the country.

The park connects directly to Chatuchak and Queen Sirikit parks, making it easy to wander between the three. If you’re looking for a blend of nature and active fun, this is the spot.

Santiphap Park: Small Park, Big Message

Santiphap Park may be small (only 20 rai or 3.2 hectares), but it’s purposeful. Opened in 1998, it was created to mark 53 years since the end of World War II, with a name that directly translates to “peace.” With winding paths, a children’s playground, a mix of trees and shrubs, and benches under leafy canopies, it’s a favorite stop for local residents.

Soft background music plays throughout the day — part of the park’s effort to offer a relaxing, meditative vibe. There’s also a symbolic sculpture at the center: a white dove standing atop five cannonball flowers, designed by artist Nonthivathn Chandhanaphalin.

Map of Bangkok’s Public Parks

Great Public Parks in Bangkok

If those parks are too far away, there are several more green spaces throughout Bangkok, some of which we’ve listed in the above map. Whether you’re chasing squirrels in Chatuchak, dodging monitor lizards at Lumphini, or simply soaking up the sunset at Benjakitti, Bangkok’s parks prove you don’t have to leave the city to feel worlds away. 

With their mix of sports equipment to get the heart pumping, serene sounds to protect your peace, and verdant fields to soothe the eyes, these green spaces invite you to slow down and savor a different side of the capital.