At the center of the modern and busy Asok area of Bangkok you’ll find Benjakitti Park. This park is a calm and quiet sanctuary in one of the busiest areas of the city. Visitors to the park come for jogging, cycling, leisurely strolls, and picnics in the shade.
What might be surprising, is that Benjakitti Park is on land formally owned by the Tobacco Authority of Thailand and was opened in honor of the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit.
The park itself forms a narrow green swathe around the expansive Lake Ratchada. The 200 x 800 meter manmade lake found at the center of the park was created through digging and reclamation.
In total the park measures 208.000 sq m. in size.
Benjakitti Park is easy to reach by BTS, MRT, on foot, or by car. It’s just outside of the Queen Sirikit Convention Center MRT station and is a 4 minute walk from Asok BTS station. Benjakitti Park is also linked by The Bangkok Green Mile, which connects Benjakitti and Lumphini parks.
Benjakitti Park is excellent for the outdoors sports enthusiast. Most visitors to the park come for a run or cycling. Despite being busy with walkers, runners, and cyclists, you’ll find that everyone tends to stay out of each other’s way.
Bangkok is far from being the most bicycle friendly city in the world. However, Benjakitti Park is a great place for cyclists to safely enjoy cycling along some varied paths.
What if you don’t own a bike? That’s fine. Bicycles can be rented for riding along the paths on the park premises. No, the bicycles aren’t the top-of-the-line, but they’ll make do for an enjoyable ride. As there are bicycle paths, be aware that they’re not meant for high speeds, although you can get going quick enough to enjoy some speed.
Of course, there’s more to the park than working out!
It’s also worth exploring the park to see some of the animals that call the park their home, such as the egrets, monitor lizards, and turtles.
You’ll also find a wide variety of plant life here, and for photographers the park provides a great opportunity for enthusiasts of floral photography.
There are also a variety of monuments and sculptures to find and admire. The first installation you’ll probably notice is the Symbolic Lotus Sculpture that stands prominently alongside the running track at the center of the park. Venture a little deeper into the leafier area of the park you’ll find more sculptures. One of these is called the Phra Buddha Wisuthimongkol. It’s a brass cast imager of Buddha sitting in meditation.
If you’re considering a visit to Benjakitti Park, bear in mind that the park’s opening hours are 5AM to 9PM. It’s best to visit the park in the early morning or at the end of the day so you avoid the mid-day heat and have the ideal light for taking pictures.
