Bangkok‘s concrete sprawl yields to 58 hectares of lawns, lakes, and shaded pathways at Lumphini Park — the city’s original public green space. Named after Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, the park attracts early-morning tai chi practitioners, evening joggers navigating 2.5km of paths, and tourists surprised to find monitor lizards (sometimes two metres long) lounging beside the artificial lake. King Rama VI donated the land in 1925, and it remains Bangkok’s answer to New York City‘s Central Park, complete with skyscraper views through the trees.
Quick overview
How much does Lumphini Park cost? Free entry.
Opening hours: 4:30am–10pm daily.
Cycling restrictions: Only permitted 10am–3pm.
Smoking: Banned throughout — fines ฿2,000 for violations.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 4:30am–10pm daily | Wheelchair accessible via paved paths; assistance recommended |
How much does Lumphini Park cost?
Nothing. Entry to Lumphini Park is entirely free. There are no admission gates, no ticket booths, and no hidden charges.
Paddle boat hire costs ฿40 for 30 minutes if you fancy rowing around the lake. Mat rental (for sitting on the grass) costs ฿30. Otherwise, the park costs nothing to visit.
What time does Lumphini Park open?
The park opens at 4:30am daily and closes at 10pm. Gates are staffed, and officials enforce closing time.
Early mornings see the largest crowds — tai chi classes, aerobics groups, and joggers all appear before 7am when temperatures remain tolerable. Late afternoons from 4pm onwards bring evening exercisers. Midday visits during March–October can be uncomfortably hot, with little shade on open lawns.
The park observes the same hours every day, including public holidays. Occasional closures occur when political demonstrations occupy the grounds — check local news if visiting during periods of unrest.
Transport advice
Don’t drive unless necessary. Bangkok traffic makes public transport the sensible option, and parking near central Bangkok parks is both expensive and scarce.
Public transport beats driving decisively. Lumphini MRT station (Blue Line) exits directly beside the park’s southwest corner. Silom MRT station sits 400 metres south. Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station (Silom Line) is 500 metres from the park entrance — an eight-minute walk.
History
The 360-rai plot (57.6 hectares) at Thung Sala Daeng belonged to King Rama VI (King Vajiravudh), who ruled 1910–1925. In 1925, he donated the land to create the Siamrat Phiphitthaphan Trade Fair, Thailand‘s first exhibition promoting Thai commodities to international audiences.
After the fair concluded, the king commissioned conversion of the grounds into Thailand’s first public park. He named it Lumphini after Lumbini in Nepal, where Buddha was born, symbolising prosperity. Construction began but remained unfinished when Rama VI died in 1925. His successors completed the project.
During World War II, Japanese forces occupied the park as an army camp. Post-war, it returned to public use. A statue of King Rama VI was erected at the southwestern entrance in 1942 to honour his vision.
The park has since served as Bangkok’s primary protest venue. Political demonstrations regularly occupy its grounds during Thailand’s periodic political upheavals — most notably during extended protests in 2010 and 2013–2014.
In 2025, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced plans for a hawker centre along Ratchadamri Road, due to open early 2026. A 1.3km elevated pedestrian and bicycle bridge (the “Green Bridge“) now connects Lumphini to Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei District.
Inside Lumphini Park: What to see
The lake dominates the northwestern section. Swan-shaped paddle boats (฿40 per 30 minutes) and rowing boats circle the water, offering skyline views framed by palms. An island in the lake provides one of the better photographic vantage points.
Monitor lizards inhabit the park grounds. These water monitors (Varanus salvator) grow up to two metres long and swim in the lake or bask on lawns. They’re harmless unless provoked — maintain distance and don’t feed them.
King Rama VI statue stands at the southwestern entrance. Locals often drape orange garlands on the bronze monument. It marks the original entry point from when the park opened.
Chinese clock tower (built 1925) sits in the southeastern corner. The ornate structure provides a photographic subject amidst greenery, though its clock face has seen better days.
Palm Garden and Bamboo Garden occupy sections of the park interior. Winter months (December–January) see the Palm Garden host “Concert in the Park” — Sunday classical music performances by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra from 5:30pm–8pm.
Exercise areas include outdoor gyms, basketball courts, and marked running circuits. Free group classes (tai chi, aerobics, Zumba) operate mornings and evenings — simply join in.
What’s included with your visit?
- Free entry to 58 hectares of parkland
- 2.5km of paved walking/jogging paths
- Artificial lake with island
- Palm Garden and Bamboo Garden
- Outdoor exercise equipment and basketball court
- Wildlife viewing (monitor lizards, birds, fish)
- Picnic areas and shaded lawns
- Buddhist Dharma activities (last Sunday monthly, 7am–9am)
- Music festivals (Sundays January–April, 5:30pm–8pm)
- View of Bangkok skyline through trees
Things to do near Lumphini Park
Jim Thompson House (1.5km, 10-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk) — The former home of American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, now a museum displaying six traditional Thai teakwood houses filled with Asian antiques.
Erawan Shrine (1.8km, 12-minute walk north) — Small but revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Brahma at the Ratchaprasong intersection. Traditional Thai dance performances occur when worshippers sponsor ceremonies.
MahaNakhon SkyWalk (2.7km, 15-minute taxi) — Thailand’s tallest building until 2018, featuring a rooftop observation deck at 314 metres with glass floor panels. Sunset views over Lumphini Park are particularly good.
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (Snake Farm) (1km, 12-minute walk southeast) — Founded in 1923, Asia’s oldest snake farm extracts venom for antivenom production. Public venom extraction demonstrations Monday–Friday at 11am and 2:30pm.
Siam Paragon (2.5km, 20-minute walk or short BTS ride) — Massive shopping mall housing high-end brands, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World aquarium, cinema, and restaurants. Connected to BTS Siam station. Free to browse.
Other attractions in Bangkok include the Museum of Counterfeit Goods and several dubious-but-brilliant bars with plastic seats.
Practical tips
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I get there? | MRT: Lumphini station (southwest corner) or Silom station (400m south). BTS: Sala Daeng station (500m, 8-minute walk). Park bounded by Rama IV Road (south), Ratchadamri Road (west), Wireless Road (east), Sarasin Road (north). |
| How long do I need? | 45 minutes for a lake circuit walk. 90 minutes if renting paddle boats. Early morning exercisers often spend 2+ hours. |
| What are the rules? | No smoking (฿2,000 fine). No dogs except guide dogs. No alcohol. Cycling only 10am–3pm. No sunbathing. Keep distance from monitor lizards. |
| Best time to visit? | Early morning (5am–8am) for cooler temperatures and active exercise classes. Late afternoon (4pm–6pm) for decent light and fewer crowds. Avoid midday heat. |
| What facilities exist? | Sri Thai Derm Food Center (4:30am–10am), public library, youth center with sports facilities, toilets. Water fountains scattered throughout. No cafés inside park — street vendors gather outside main gates. |
| Can I exercise there? | Yes, extremely popular for jogging (2.5km paved circuit), tai chi, aerobics, Zumba, basketball, outdoor gyms. Free group classes run mornings/evenings. |
| Are there events? | Buddhist Dharma activities last Sunday monthly (7am–9am). Western/Thai music concerts Sundays January–April (5:30pm–8pm). Bangkok Symphony Orchestra performs winter Sundays in Palm Garden. |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Lumphini Park safe? | Yes, well-patrolled and busy from dawn until closing. Stick to lit paths if visiting near closing time. Monitor lizards are harmless unless provoked — don’t approach or feed them. |
| Can I bring food and have a picnic? | Yes, picnicking is permitted. Bring your own mat or rent one for ฿30. No food is sold inside the park — buy before entering or from vendors outside gates. |
| Why is cycling restricted to certain hours? | Daytime-only cycling (10am–3pm) prevents conflicts with morning/evening joggers and exercise classes when foot traffic peaks. The rule is strictly enforced. |
| Do I need to dress modestly? | No specific dress code, but wear exercise-appropriate clothing if joining activities. Sunbathing is prohibited — keep covered. |
| What’s the deal with the monitor lizards? | Water monitors are native wildlife living in the park. They’re protected and harmless if left alone. Don’t feed, touch, or corner them. They often sun themselves on grass near the lake. |
