Lumphini Park is the biggest and best loved park in central Bangkok, a large green space of lawns, shade trees and lakes framed by office towers along Rama IV and Ratchadamri roads. It is where the city comes to jog, stretch, row a boat or simply sit in the shade, and it is free to enter. If you need a break from temples and malls, an early morning or late afternoon in Lumphini Park shows Bangkok at its most relaxed.
Why visit Lumphini Park
The park was created on royal land in the 1920s during the reign of King Rama VI, whose statue stands at the main entrance on the corner of Rama IV and Silom roads. It was named after Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha in Nepal. Over the decades it has become the main public park of the city centre, used by everyone from office workers to older residents practising tai chi.
Lumphini Park is also famous for its water monitor lizards. These large reptiles live around the lakes and canals, and it is common to see them swimming or resting on the banks. They generally ignore people, but give them space and do not try to feed or touch them.
Getting to Lumphini Park by MRT and BTS
Several stations sit around the edge of the park:
- Si Lom on the MRT Blue Line is right by the King Rama VI statue at the southwest corner, the main entrance.
- Sala Daeng on the BTS Silom Line links to Si Lom MRT and is a short walk from the same corner.
- Lumphini on the MRT Blue Line serves the southeast side, near Wireless Road.
- Ratchadamri on the BTS Silom Line is closest to the park's western side and north end.
Because the park is large, choose the station nearest the part you want. For a first visit, Si Lom or Sala Daeng and the main gate is the easiest.
Opening hours and entry
Entry to Lumphini Park is free. The park opens very early in the morning and closes in the evening, but exact times can change, so check recent information if you plan to arrive at dawn or stay late. Paddle boats on the main lake are rented for a small fee, and there are toilets, drinking water points and simple food stalls around the park.
One custom surprises many visitors: at 6pm the national anthem is played over loudspeakers and people stop where they are and stand still until it ends. Join in by pausing quietly.
Best time to visit Lumphini Park
Early morning, from just after opening, is the best time to visit Lumphini Park. The air is cooler, runners and walkers fill the paths, and groups practise tai chi and dance. Late afternoon into early evening is the other peak, when the heat eases and outdoor aerobics classes start up to loud music. Midday is hot and quiet, though the shade under the big trees helps.
An hour is enough for a gentle loop and some time by the lake. Runners can use the paved track around the park, which is a little over two kilometres per lap.
Things to do in the park
- Run or walk the loop: one of the most popular running routes in Bangkok.
- Rent a paddle boat: a slow, fun way to see the lake and its islands.
- Spot monitor lizards: look along the water's edge, especially in the quieter corners.
- Join an outdoor class: aerobics sessions in the evening welcome anyone who wants to try.
- Picnic in the shade: bring a mat and snacks, but take your rubbish with you.
Tips for your visit
Bring water and insect repellent, especially near the lakes around dusk. Rules on cycling, pets and drones are posted at the gates and can be strict, so read them before you start. If you plan to run, go early before the heat builds, and run in the same direction as everyone else on the track.
Nearby on the same stops
- Silom Road: restaurants, street food and the Patpong night market, across from the Si Lom exit.
- Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute: the Red Cross snake farm, a short walk from Si Lom and Sala Daeng.
- One Bangkok: a large new mixed-use district near Lumphini MRT and Wireless Road.
Learn more on the Lumphini Park page, or see what is around every station on the Bangkok map.