Description: Occupying 57.60 hectares, Lumphini Park is the largest in Bangkok and with no doubt one of the main attractions in town; few metropolises in the world can pride themselves on such awesome green space. Its name refers to Lumphini in
Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.
Reaching the ParkSince it occupies a big chunk of
central Bangkok, there are many options for reaching the park. Road Rama IV can be reached with buses 4, 14, 46, 47, 50, 74, 76, 106 and air-con buses 7, 109, and 115. Ratchadamri Road can be reached with lines 14, 15, 74, 77, 119 and air-con buses 4, 5; Sarasin Road with buses 13, 76, and 106 and finally Wittayu Road with buses 13, 17, 62, 76, 106 and air-con buses 62, and 76.
The
Skytrain Sala Daeng Station, and the Subway Silom and Lumphini stations reach the park as well.
TimingThe park is open daily between 4:30 AM and 9 PM.
HistoryIn 1925 the
Thailand was experiencing a recession due to the World War I; to solve the problem, King Rama VI sponsored an exhibition of local products and natural resources. The grounds were intended to be used afterwards for the foundation of the first public park in
Bangkok.
However, the fair was delayed due to the king’s death. The successor, King Rama VII gave the southern side of the proposed park to an amusement park called "Vanaruengrom," and the rental fees were used for the development of the park. Later, during the World War II the park became the Japanese soldiers’ camp.
SnacksDespite the attractiveness of the park for a picnic, the idea is almost sacrilegious. The park is too well kept and even a temporary interference with its perfect, ascetic lines seems wrong, despite the friendly Sri Thai Doem Food Center.
Instead, Silom Road offers one of the best coffee shops in
Bangkok. Heading south into Silom, it is a matter of minutes until a branch of Delifrance is reached. They serve an excellent coffee, but there is a more important aspect to such a visit. They are one of the few shops in Bangkok specializing in bread and offer awesome sandwiches on a wide variety of fresh breads. After living for a while in a rice-oriented culture, such a place grows to be of importance and successfully provides the illusion of returning home, at least for a short hour.
FeaturesThe lush and green garden hosts two lakes and two ponds; while walking among them, pleasant surprises await the visitor. The Thai Lanna Pavilion is better than any similar structure in
Chiang Mai, the capital of the old Lanna Kingdom, which was one of the predecessors to the modern Thai Kingdom. Almost on the opposite side of the park are a Chinese Pavilion and a beautiful Chinese Clock Tower, which honor another important segment of the Thai society.
The Royal Monument of King Rama VI was built in 1942 to commemorate to the king who gave this park to people and is located next to the southern entrance of the park.
The Bird Watching Course allows enjoying the over thirty species of birds that inhabit the park.
The Smiling Sun Ground is an area designed for the disabled, with no stairs, a special playground, parking lots and other special facilities.
The Bangkok Senior Citizens Club is located within Lumphini Hall, offering exercising and vocational training for the elderly.
The Home of Hope offers services to homeless children.
The BMA Apprentice School offers vocational courses to the public.
The Lumphini Public Library, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 AM to 8 PM.
The Lumphini Youth Center offers sports activities and training to children.
These last services give to Lumphini Park an important social service in its area.
Pedalboats and Rowboats are available for rental; thirty minutes cost thirty baht (roughly one dollar).
Dharma in the Park is the name of a Buddhist sermon given on the last Sunday of every month between 7 AM and 9 AM.
Music in the Park is the name given to various Thai and Western musical performances in the Palm Garden between February and April, on Sundays between 4:30 PM and 8 PM.
These last two services are similar to those offered in Benchasiri Park, which is also reviewed in this journal.
Nearby AttractionsAmong Bangkok's main streets,
Silom Road offers the biggest diversity of all. Probably that is the result of its access to the
Chao Phraya River, to the Lumphini Park and its hosting the main commercial quarter of the city.
The street ends at the junction with Phra Rama IV Avenue, where the Silom's Robinson Center can be visited for a
shopping spree. Below it, under the street level, was the humorous choice for a branch of the Tops Supermarket.
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