Traveling to Bangkok allows you to venture through several historical and cultural sites, and you may be inclined to visit the ever-so-popular food street in Bangkok. But, there is so much more to Bangkok than these tourism sites—for instance, there are several theme parks and family parks that you could visit for making your trip more memorable and enjoyable. When visiting Bangkok, you should absolutely pay a visit to Lumphini Park ( สวนลุมพินี).
Lumphini Park is located on Rama 4 Road ( ถนนพระราม 4) and the best way to get there is by MRT or BTS, so avoiding all the traffic jams in Bangkok. Silom MRT station ( สถานีสีลม), will bring inside the park if you take Exit 1, while if accessing by BTS you’ll need a short five-minute walk from Sala Daeng BTS station ( สถานีศาลาแดง) in the BTS Silom Line ( สายสีลม).
Lumphini Park is named after Lumbini, Lord Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, being the Nepalese translation of Lumbini as “The lovely”. The park features a 57-hectares area, which makes it one of the largest parks in Bangkok and was the first public park in Thailand, created in the 1920s by King Vajiravudh ( วชิราวุธ), also known as King Rama VI ( พระรามที่ 6).
The park is an epitome of tranquility, peace, fresh air, and you can engage in several open-air activities for spending your time. You can participate in jogging, aerobics, or engage in miscellaneous open-air activities. Lumphini Park is often referred to as Bangkok’s Central Park with everything that happens all the time.
Lumphini Lake
There is plenty of water in Lumphini Park but Lumphini Lake is the focal point for many tourists. The lake creates a peaceful backdrop for people to sit and relax away from the busy streets of Bangkok.
If you want to go over the lake, you can hire a Swan Paddle Boat for 30 minutes to have a little fun on the water, while expending some time relaxing and exercising.
Flora and Fauna watching
Lumphini is home to amazing wildlife despite being in the city center of Bangkok. The Asian water monitoring lizard that can be discovered in the park is the most common sight.
The lizards tend to dip in and out of the reservoirs of Lumphini, and if you happen to discover one, they are a rare sight. The lizards can grow as long as five feet, so maintain your eyes and ears open!
The park is a house to several exotic plants and flowers. The almost century-old trees that fill the park are one of the treasures to be preserved in a city like Bangkok that needs this green lung for exploring its nature-centric part.
Sport activities
If you are an athlete or, you simply want to work out in an exotic park for recreational purposes then, the Lumphini Park would make an excellent spot to visit. Bring your comfortable shoes and athletic wear, and select a spot in the part to get started with your sports activities. You can work out as an individual or, you can join the sport’s group in the park.
You will come across outdoor and indoor gyms at the park, and you can work out in any of the gyms to maintain your physique. If you are entering the park via Rama 4 then, you will come across an outdoor gym after strolling around for a few minutes that is dedicated to weight lifting and other sports activities.
Outdoor concerts
If you have Lumphini Park on your must-visit list then, you should move the trip to Sunday afternoon (between 17:30 and 20:00) in the months of January to April, where the authorities arrange for an outdoor concert at The Band Stand Lumphini Park. Jazz musicians are invited to the scene to serenade the audience or, a traditional Thai band would play Thai style music for entertaining the visitors of the park. You will find locals dancing to the music, and you can always join them to dance to the tone.
Sepak Takraw
If you are intrigued to learn about Thailand’s traditional sports then, you can participate in Sepak Takraw ( เซปักตะกร้อ) or kick volleyball at the park’s courtyard. The rules of the game are similar to a volleyball but, the player must pass the ball using its legs. The players are given an air-ball to play with, and it should be kicked and jumped higher for gaining a score. If you see a group of people participating in sepak takraw then, you should politely ask them to lend you the ball, so you could play with your group.
Also, you can participate in swimming, tennis, strolling, jogging, and several other activities at the park for making your trip memorable.