Along Sukhumvit Road and just meters from Phrom Phong BTS station next to the Emporium Shopping Mall and directly accessible from the Marriott Marquis is a peaceful spot of green space. That space is Benchasiri Park. Although it’s not Bangkok’s largest park at 29 rai, or 11.5 acres, it is one of the most interesting and varied parks in the city.
Benchasiri Park is a great place to be for lovers of sculpture. Excellent examples of Thai sculpture are scattered throughout the park. It also features some facilities that aren’t typically found in other Bangkok parks. This includes a basketball court, skate park, outdoor swimming pool, and multi-purpose court.
There are four access gates to the park. Two are located on Sukhumvit Road. Another at the back of the park is accessible via a small side street off Soi Mathi Niwet, which runs alongside Emporium Shopping Mall. The fourth and newest entrance offers convenient access to guests of the Marriott Marquis hotel because it serves as the rear entrance to the hotel.
If you’re staying at the Marriott Marquis, then this is a great option for a morning or evening run because the park is open from 05:00 to 21:00.
See & Do At Benchasiri Park
The park’s centerpiece is a large pond. Here you’ll often find people, especially families, feeding the large fish and turtles who make their home in the pond. If you want to make some new animal friends in the pond, you can buy bread and other snacks at the kiosks to feed the fish and turtles.
On the other hand if you’d like to make some furry friends, bring some nuts for the many squirrels or some snacks for park cats.
At the outer edge of the park is a running track and just around the lake is a walking path for a quiet stroll at the center of the city.
Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of shade from trees for a picnic as well as multiple small gardens. Benchasiri Park is a green space that’s popular at all hours of the day.
Of course, there’s more to the park than a pond and space for a jog. The park also hosts a variety of activity spaces. There are two playgrounds for children, aerobic exercise equipment, a skate park that usually draws a crowd of skaters and spectators, and a basketball court where pickup games are common in the evening and on weekends.
There’s also a section for free weights. It’s not quite Muscle Beach, but very popular with the locals.
You’ll also find groups playing volleyball, badminton, and Takraw.
There’s also an outdoor swimming pool here. The swimming pool is open from 10:30 to 20:00.
Overseas visitors can use the pool by purchasing a yearly membership for 50 baht plus a fee of 15 baht entrance fee. Showing your passport is required. However, we recommend that you just use your hotel or condo pool.
Klook.comBenchasiri Sculptures
Benchasiri Park is known for its sculptures. It’s the site of 12 installations that have all been sculpted by famous Thai artists. The most prominent, which is at the front of the park is a large gold coin with the image of Queen Sirikit. In fact, the park was built in 1992 in honor of the queen’s 60th birthday.
Not A Must See But…
Benchasiri Park isn’t a must-see spot in Bangkok, but if you’re staying at the Marriott Marquis we recommend a walk through the park when you leave your room to explore the city. Otherwise, if you’re in the Phrom Phong area it’s worth a visit for the relaxing atmosphere as an oasis of nature in the center of the city.
