Bangkok has joined the ranks of cities creating networks of parks to preserve local ecosystems with the creation of the Benjakitti Forest Park. The creation of the park is something that represents an important step forward to increase the quality of life for both residents as well as visitors to Thailand’s capital.
Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park opened in 1994, which features some sculptures and a running track around a large manmade lake. However, recently, Benjakitti Phases 2 and 3 have been landscaped and the new, updated Benjakitti Park extends over an area of 259 rai that originally was home to a tobacco manufacturing facility.
The development of the park was in accordance with the wishes of His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The expansion is part of the government’s 30-year plan to create large city public parks.
Growing an Ecosystem
At a cost of 652 million baht to build, the monumental forest park project is a joint enterprise involving the Finance Ministry’s Treasury Department, the Royal Thai Army, and the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts, which was responsible for the park’s design.
The Benjakitti Forest Park is designed to give rise to a biological community that depends on a network of water channels, which in turn is crucial to the growth of trees and shrubbery creating a habitats for many animal species. The area around the ponds will see 7,155 new trees in addition to the 1,733 already existing mature trees. The newly planted flora will include mangrove and freshwater plants, evergreens, Banyan Trees, and Thai flowers.
The newly massive park is set to become home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Like a super absorbent sponge, the park’s unpaved grounds are capable of soaking up in excess of 128,000 cubic meters of storm water during the rainy season. Plus, the park’s ecosystem doubles as a treatment plant that can produce as much as 1,600 cubic meters of treated water per day.
Creating A ‘Lungs of the City’
Enlarging Benjakitti Park was part of an effort to create a ‘lungs of the city’, which would be a tourist attraction in its own right in addition to being a green space that Bangkok residents can enjoy daily. Within the park there is a 5.8 kilometer nature trail, a 2.8 kilometer running path, and a 3.4 kilometer cycling path.
Other highlights inside the park includes a nearly two-kilometer long skywalk crisscrossing a lovely view of wetland peppered with mounds of earth forming tiny islets. There’s also a separate walking trail at ground level. The paths, both on the upper and lower levels, encourage you to keep walking and explore. The seemingly random layout of the paths makes getting lost…fun.
The concrete walkways are Tadao Ando-esque due to the use of bare concrete around the landscape architecture. And the elevated walking path, which is over 2 meters wide and nearly two-kilometers long, doesn’t have any benches. Benches are found on ground level, so you can sit amongst the nature.
At the western end of the park there’s a half amphitheater made of giant concrete tracts from the original tobacco factory. The 12 levels can accommodate a total of 15,000 people. But, perhaps they’re best for enjoying the views of nature and the Bangkok skyline.
Tip: The backdrop of skyscrapers from Bangkok’s business district that can be seen from the park’s lake make for an excellent photo opportunity.
When & How To Visit Benjakitti Forest Park
The park is busiest in the evening as the temperature cools. But if you want to brave the midday sun you’ll feel as if you have the park to yourself. The park is also well lit so it’s not a mistake to walk through the park after sunset.
The Phase 2 and 3 expansions make Benjakitti Forest Park the largest park in Bangkok. Once completed, it’ll dwarf the famous Lumpini Park by almost 100 rai.
The Benjakitti Forest Park brings benefits to not only the city’s residents but also serves as a great site for visitors to Bangkok. Furthermore, it’s a healthy habitat for many animals. The park provides temporary refuge to migratory birds, it’s a place for running, biking, or walking, and a great place for children to spend more time outdoors.
Most importantly, it removes pollutants and gives us clean air to breathe.
If you want to visit Benjakitti Forest Park, it’s open daily from 5am to 9pm and is located next to the Queen Sirikit Convention Center with multiple access points and is accessible by taxi, by BTS from Asok Station, or by MRT via Queen Sirikit Convention Center or Sukhumvit stations.
