Lumpini Park, Bangkok

If you intend to spend 3 or more days in Bangkok, I suggest that you take some time off from your shopping and other activities to visit the famous 58-hectares Lumpini Park ( at Rama IV Road) to 'recharge your batteries'

Lumpini Park web-sites :-

http://www.bangkoksite.com/Parks/LumpiniPark1.htm

http://bangkok.thailandtoday.com/lei...mpinipark.html


PROFILE OF LUMPINI PARK :
Named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, this is Bangkok's largest and most popular park. The park is bordered by Rama IV Road to the South, Sarasin Road to the North, Witthayu Road to the East and Ratchadamri Road to the West, with entrance gates on all sides. A large artificial lake in the center is surrounded by broad, well-tended lawns, wooded areas and walking paths. In other words, it is the best outdoor escape from Bangkok without leaving town.

This 360-rai (58 hectare) plot of land was formerly known as the Sala Deang field, and was the private property of King Rama VI. In 1925, the King donated the land to the nation to be used as a public and fair ground. The Siamrath Phiphithapan Trade Fair held here to promote Thai producta among Thais and forigners was discontinued after the death of the King Rama VI.

One of the best times to visit the park is in the early morning. Suan Lumpini is a place of moods rather than sights. In the morning it's full of people exercising. More striking and graceful than the joggers are Chinese tai chi groups, making slow movements to music. Along the gates, vendors set up tables to dispense fresh snake blood and bile considered a health tonic by many Thais and Chinese. Rowing boats and puddle boats can be rented at the lake. A weight-lifting area in one section becomes a miniature "muscle beach" on the weekends. Other facilities include a snack bar, several areas with tables and benches for picnics and a couple of tables where ladies serve Chinese tea. Rest rooms are placed at intervals throughout the park.

Koh Loy or Floating Island
King Rama VI arranged for example of native plants from all regions of the country to be planted here for the education of the people.

Royal Monument of King Rama VI
Located at the park's main entrance. Alumni of Vajiravudh College built the memorial with the additional funding from the government of F.M. Plaek Pibulsongkram and public donations.

Clock Tower
This Chinese style structure was built in 1925 as preparations for the Siamrath Phiphitthapan Trade Fair.

Public Library
This is the first public library in Thailand. It has 30,000 books and has opened audio and visual educational services, promotions to encourage reading, and book exhibitions etc.

OPENING HOURS:
Daily 4:30am-8pm

COST:
Free of Charge
Boat Rental at Bht30/Half Hr.

FEATURE:
- Bangkok's largest and most popular park
- Koh Loy or Floating Island
- Royal Monument of King Rama VI
- Clock Tower
- Public Library

GETTING THERE:
BUS
- 4, 13, 14, 15, 17, 25, 45, 46, 47, 62, 67, 74, 76, 106, 109, 115, 116, 149, AC4, AC5, AC15, AC62, AC67, AC76, MC14, MC17
BTS - Sala Daeng Station

DO & DON'T:
- Do join in an early morning exercise of "Tai Chi"
- If you dare, do try fresh snake blood and bile

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS / FACILITIES :
Accommodation »
- Dusit Thani
- Pan Pacific Bangkok
- The Sukhothai Bangkok

Food & Restaurants
- Soi Polo BBQ Chicken
- Anna Cafe

Nightlife & Entertainment
- Patpong
- Lung Suan Pubs

Shopping
- Robinson Department Store
- Silom Complex
- Jim Thompson Silk Shop

Sightseeing
- Lumpini Thai Boxing Stadium
- Snake Farm

Additional info :-

Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Lumpini Park is the biggest park in the central business district and is a favourite amongst office workers for early morning jogging and early evening aerobics (an instructor leads an aerobics session every evening around 17:00-17:30). The park is also popular with ethnic Chinese who practice ‘Tai Chi’ – a curious slow motion exercise derived from the martial arts. The park has a huge central lake with paddle boats and is sometimes the venue for musical performances. A trip to the park can be combined with a visit to the statue of King Chulalongkorn as well as a trip to the Lumpini Night Bazaar. You can also purchase snake blood and bile from vendors in the park – highly regarded as health tonics amongst ethnic Chinese.

Details: The park is open daily from 05:00 to 20:00. Admission to the park is free.

How to get there: Lumpini Park has entrances on Rama IV Road, Ratchadamri Road and Witthayu (Wireless) Road and is within easy walk of Silom Road. The nearest BTS station is Saladang and the nearest MRT Silom/Lumpini. MRT is probably the easiest way to get there. A taxi fare from the centre should cost around 40 Baht.

The following buses will get you there:

Air-conditioned bus: 4, 547

Bus number: 14, 17, 46, 47, 50, 115


Some more info :-

Named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, Lumpini Park is Bangkok's largest and most popular park. The park is bordered by Rama IV Road to the South, Sarasin Road to the North, Witthayu Road to the East and Ratchadamri Road to the West, with entrance gates on all sides. A large artificial lake in the center is surrounded by broad, well-tended lawns, wooded areas and walking paths. In other words, it is the best outdoor escape from Bangkok without leaving town.

One of the best times to visit the park is in the early morning. Suan (Park) Lumpini is a place of moods rather than sights. In the morning it is full of people exercising. More striking and graceful than the joggers are Chinese Tai Chi groups, making slow movements to music. The practitioners of Tai Chi who can be seen in Lumpini Park every early morning (around 5 AM-7:AM) put less strain on their bodies' circulation. Tai Chi is a rather soft Chinese form of exercise, healthy not only for the body but allegedly also for the mind.

Along the gates, vendors set up tables to dispense fresh snake blood and bile considered a health tonic by many Thais and Chinese. Rowing boats and puddle boats can be rented at the lake.

A weight-lifting area in one section becomes a miniature " music beach" on the weekends. Other facilities include a snack bar, several areas with tables and benches for picnics and a couple of tables where ladies serve Chinese tea. Rest rooms are placed at intervals throughout the park.

Musical shows are sometimes held in this spacious park. The park which is enclosed by a high wall and locked overnight.. It can be argued whether the joggers serve their health by doing their practice there as the surrounding part of town is heavily polluted. Nevertheless, the elaborate jogging track, complete with stops for weight lifting and special gymnastics, is in use all day, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons