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Located among the towering cityscape of Bangkok lies a green oasis that offers a break from the urban chaos. Benjakitti Park, often referred to as Bangkok’s Urban Forest, is a large public park in the heart of Bangkok and a popular outdoor destination for relaxing and exercising. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about Benjakitti Park!
Table of Contents
Where is Benjakitti Park?
Benjakitti Park is located in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is located in Sukhumvit, near the Khlong Toei district and the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
How to Get to Benjakitti Park
Benjakitti Park via BTS Skytrain
The nearest BTS station to Benjakitti Park is Asok Station (Sukhumvit Line). From the station, you can either take a short taxi ride or enjoy a 15 to 20-minute walk to the park.
Benjakitti Park via MRT Subway
If you’re using the MRT, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Station (Blue Line) is the closest. From there, the park is only a short walk away.
Benjakitti Park via Ride-Sharing Service
If you want to be taken directly to the park, I recommend using Grab to call a cheap taxi. This app allows you to call either a motorcycle or a car to come pick you up and drop you off wherever you want.
History of Benjakitti Park
Establishment
Benjakitti Park was established as part of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center project. The park was inaugurated in 2004, transforming what was once an industrial area into a green oasis for both locals and visitors.
Ironically, before becoming a park, this land was used to cultivate and prepare tobacco. Today, this area contributes to purifying Bangkok’s air.
Origin of Name
This park was named after Queen Sirikit. Benjakitti, also spelled Benchakitti, does not have a direct translation in Thai. Some sources claim that it refers to the age of the Queen when the park was created, but there is a lack of consensus about this.
Is There an Entry Fee for Benjakitti Park?
Benjakitti Park is free to enter, and this includes the newly added Forest section.
Features of Benjakitti Park
Benjakitti Pond
At the heart of the park lies a large lake, reflecting the surrounding greenery and city skyline. This lake runs almost the entire length of park. Visitors can rent a paddle boat and enjoy a relaxing time on the water.
Forests and Swamps
The western section of the park is referred to as the Benjakitti Forest Park. In this section, there is a single body of water that is segmented into 3 large sections. Each section contains native variety of plants.
These sections include: Mangrove forest trees, freshwater swamp forest trees, low land evergreen forest, & dry evergreen trees.
Sky Walk
A Sky Walk was recently built in Benjakitti Park. This is an elevated walkway that extends hundreds of meters across the wetlands, connecting the different sections of Benjakitti Forest Park.
Not only is this a convenient way to get across the park, but it also provides impressive views of the surrounding forests and cityscape.
Trail at Ground Level
In addition to the Sky Walk, there is also a walking trail that is only about a meter above the water level. This trail branches off into several directions, and the pathway often disappears behind tall vegetation.
Walking along this path is never boring because you will always end up in a different location!
Bike Paths and Trails
Benjakitti Park is a popular place to exercise. Fortunately, there are designated paths for people to ride their bikes on.
Nobody should be flying past you on their bike as you walk along the Sky Walk or walk along the narrow paths in the wetlands.
Benjakitti Park at Sunset
If you ask me, the best time to visit Benjakitti Park is at sunset. Not only will the temperature be cooler, but there will also be less crowds to deal with. You will also get to appreciate the amazing views of the sunset from around the park!
Benjakitti Park after Dark
Benjakitti Park is open from 5 am to 9 pm. Just after sunset, you will get to enjoy the park at night. The Sky Walk and ground-level trails are lit up with lights, and the animals of the park come to life.
If you want to sit around at the park at night, just remember to bring mosquito repellent! If you are continuously walking, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a huge city with different neighborhoods that fit the needs of every traveler. I recommend staying in either Khao San or Sukhumvit. Khao San is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Sukhumvit is home to Benjakitti Park and has plenty of modern accommodations.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Similar Activities in Bangkok
Lumphini Park
If you enjoy Benjakitti Park and want to find other similar activities nearby, I recommend visiting Lumphini Park. This public park is now connected to Benjakitti Park via a long bridge, and is worth visiting if you have the time.
Boat Tour of Chao Phraya River
If you want to see more of Bangkok’s wildlife, I recommend taking a boat tour of the Chao Phraya River. You will see plenty of fish, birds, and even Asian water monitors.
