Bangkok’s Lumpini Park is a pleasant, 142-acre space in the heart of Thailand’s capital. Of course, any urban green space is to be cherished, but even more so in a busy city of over 8 million people, and Lumpini Park serves as a needed respite from the Bangkok’s busy streets and sidewalks.

Lumpini Park a place where people can sit, exercise, or check out some of the many activities on offer every day. But it’s more than just an inexpensive diversion that appeals to virtually everyone. The park is home to a number of permanent facilities and seasonal activities. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to the park for things to do beyond just lounging around or picnics.

Lumpini Park gets its name from Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, later to become Buddha, in Nepal. The space was set aside from royal land in the 1920s and then later turned into the first park in Bangkok.

During World War II, Thailand was invaded by Japanese forces in 1941, and Japanese soldiers actually used Lumpini Park as a camp, after which Allies bombed the city.

The statue of King Rama VI, the king responsible for creating the park, was erected in 1942 and still stands at the Maine entrance to the park.

Today, Lumpini Park a popular spot for Bangkokians to meet up, exercise, or just relax amongst the trees and ponds.

What To Do At Lumpini park?

Along with permanent attractions such as an outdoor gym, indoor dance hall, and library (Bangkok’s first), a number of groups meet in the park to share activities.

Weekends are particularly eventful, and most clubs meet in evenings when the heat is more tolerable. Also, Early mornings are especially busy as people come to exercise.

Jogging two circuits of the park is roughly the same as completing a 5K!

So, what can you at Lumpni Park?

Exercise: You can jog, cycle, and rollerblade in the park. You’ll likely find older groups practicing tai chi in the mornings. And before sunset, you can sweat it out at the park’s free aerobics sessions to high-energy techno tunes.

Rent a Boat: Ever wanted to ride along with your significant other in a tacky, giant swan? Here’s your chance!

Yellow rubber duckies and row boats are also options.

Meet People: Many varied interests bring groups together in Lumpini Park. You can take advantage of an opportunity to meet locals and participate. You’ll see clusters of people from local bird-watching clubs, photography clubs, and more.

Students may even shyly approach you to practice English.

Enjoy the Music: During the dry season, or winter months, the orchestra plays free shows on weekend evenings. At other times, you’ll catch different types of music and even karaoke.

All are typically free to enjoy.

Lumpini Park’s Famous Water Monitors

The giant monitor lizards that call the lake home may look like Komodo dragons but thankfully aren’t dangerous. They are, however, in the same family as their venomous cousins and can have a nasty temperament when cornered.

The Thai word for these lizards, “hia”, also serves as a profane insult. So, in other words, it’s best to leave them alone.

For years, the monitor lizards in Lumpini Park have grown in size and audacity, both attracting and spooking Western visitors. It’s estimated that there are around 400 Monitor Lizards in Lumpini Park!

The lizards are a part of the ecosystem serving as scavengers who clean up dead fish, birds, and other creatures.

Although the monitor lizards aren’t dangerous, they do grow to frightening sizes, some are close to 10 feet long!

For obvious reasons, you shouldn’t attempt to feed or interact with them in any way. Remember, they re wild animals and need to be treated with respect.

Things To Know Before You Go

There are a few more things you should know before visiting Lumpini Park.

• Park hours are from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Smoking is prohibited throughout the park. Tourists are frequently caught and fined. So, don’t do it!
• Dogs are not allowed.
• Cycling is allowed from 10 am to 3 p.m.
• Wi-Fi can be found throughout the park, but signal strength varies.
• Sleeping in the park isn’t permitted, although you can get away with a nap.

How To get To Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is centrally located in Bangkok, and the quickest way to get there is by train unless you’re coming from the Khao San Road.

Most of Lumpini Park is surrounded by walls, so you’ll need to enter through one of the six gates. The main entrance is the one in the southwestern corner near the royal monument and MRT station.

By Train

• The Silom MRT station (Blue Line) is located in the southwestern corner of Lumpini Park.
• The Lumpini MRT station is at the southeastern corner.
• The nearest BTS Skytrain station is Sala Daeng, just a little south of Lumpini Park. Sala Daeng BTS Station is located along the BTS Silom Line.
• If you’re coming from the Sukhumvit Line, which is often the case, you’ll need to change lines in the Siam BTS station. Alternatively, Lumpini Park is about a 5 to 10-minute walk from Ploen Chit BTS Station on the Sukhumvit Line.

From Khao San Road: Lumpini Park is around 90 minutes of hot walking from the Khao San Road area. Going by taxi is easiest, although you’ll find some drivers will refuse to use the meter; if this happens, simply flag another taxi.

But, if you’ve never taken a tuk-tuk ride in Bangkok, now’s your chance! Just know that tuk-tuks are typically more hassle, less comfortable, and no cheaper for tourists than a metered taxi, but doing so at least once is kind of a tourist rite of passage.