Lumphini Park at dawn

Tai chi, joggers and giant monitor lizards in the middle of the business district.

Area

Modern Bangkok

Start from

MRT Lumphini / Si Lom

Distance

in the city

Time needed

1–2 hours

Best season

All year; early morning

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

MRT or BTS

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Lumphini Park is the city's green heart. Early in the morning, it's full of people doing tai chi, aerobics and jogging, while monitor lizards swim in the lakes.

It's a peaceful break from the city and a window into everyday Bangkok life.

Watching the city wake up here is one of my favourite Bangkok moments: groups of older people moving in slow tai chi forms, aerobics classes with loud music, joggers circling the lake, and families feeding fish. The skyline of Silom rises above the trees.

Later in the day, people rent pedal boats on the lake or nap on the grass in the shade.

The story

The park was created in the 1920s on royal land and named after Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha in Nepal.

Over the years, it has hosted fairs, festivals and even served as a military camp.

King Rama VI donated the land for the park in the 1920s, intending it to host a national fair. A statue of the king stands at the main entrance.

The large monitor lizards that live in the park's waters are a famous sight. They are wild, protected and part of the city's ecosystem.

Getting there

Take the MRT to Lumphini or Si Lom station, or the BTS to Sala Daeng.

The park is open from early morning until evening.

A suggested plan

1. DawnWalk around the lake and watch the morning exercise groups.
2. BreakfastHave breakfast at a nearby street stall.
3. AfternoonReturn for a pedal boat ride or a picnic in the shade.

Where to stay

Silom and Sathorn hotels are nearby.

Good to know

• The national anthem is played at certain times; everyone stops and stands still.
• Bring water; it gets hot quickly.
• Lumphini is a good starting point for exploring Silom and Sathorn.