Life in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, does not stop for a moment: people, cars, huge skyscrapers with roof gardens and constant noise. However, in the very center of the gas-polluted metropolis, an island of greenery and silence lurks, where you can easily see a walking monitor lizard on a shady alley.
We are talking about the popular Lumpini Park among Bangkok residents, where people come to hide from everyday hustle and bustle, exercise or just do meditation while singing birds.
King's Gift
Life in a large, rapidly developing city is not very useful for its inhabitants: a high rhythm of life, noisy streets and very few trees. To improve the lives of compatriots, the King of Thailand, Rama IV, on his lands decided to equip a green zone for sports and recreation. So in 1920, the construction of the Lumpini Park began.
The inhabitants of the East were always attentive to their health, so the initiative of the ruler was joyfully supported. Since then, the green oasis in the city center has been constantly changing for the better, plants are planted, new treadmills are equipped, modern trainers are installed. As the king intended, his gift became the center of a healthy life in Bangkok.
A place for active classes
Today, Lumpini Park occupies a fairly large territory, 57 hectares. Not only palm groves and flowering shrubs grow here, the park is equipped with more than a hundred treadmills. And all with a good smooth finish, and for tired runners there are nice benches in the shade of the trees.
By the way, lovers of pedaling love this place for a huge territory. It’s hard to get around or even run around the park, but riding a bike on neat paths will be a huge pleasure. Designers who developed the green zone project took into account the needs of sports lovers in advance, so runners and cyclists do not interfere with each other.
Tennis, aerobics, fitness
However, the huge green area is suitable not only for jogging, there are several shady courts, sports grounds, fitness and aerobics zones and even an open-air swimming pool in the Lumpini park. And for lovers of strength training in the park there is simply an unthinkable number of modern simulators. The zones with them are located in different parts of the complex, therefore, even in the most active hours, everyone will find several free machines.
Guests who first find themselves in this place are surprised by the presence of professional sports instructors who, with a friendly smile, will help to deal with an unusual simulator and show an interesting set of exercises. Moreover, their services are absolutely free, and for residents of the city this has long seemed the norm.
Almost every evening, hundreds of people come here for free group aerobics, yoga, or breathing exercises. It seems that most of the residents of the city regularly play sports in the park. Although this is exactly what King Rama IV wanted.
Boxing Stadium
A few decades after the opening of the park, a huge Thai boxing stadium Lumpini Stadium was built on its territory. Muay Thai's boxing style, better known as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” has been around for over two thousand years. In a duel, athletes are allowed to use arms, legs, elbows and knees, this is a very spectacular, but rather fierce struggle.
The stadium was built under the patronage of the ground forces of Thailand, it conducted training not only famous fighters, but also army employees.
Over the many years of its existence in the stadium arena, a huge number of spectacular fights took place, often here they became the country's champions. Attracted the attention of fans and the fact that gambling and betting on fighters were allowed at the boxing stadium (this is prohibited almost throughout the country).
Recently, however, the stadium, whose stands can accommodate 9,000 fans at the same time, it was decided to completely dismantle. It is not yet known what will be built on the vacated square, and for fans of Thai boxing, they have already planned the construction of a modern complex on the outskirts of the city.
Open water
To completely abandon the noise of a multi-million city, spread out over the trees of the park, it is worth coming to the shore of a large open reservoir. It is especially pleasant to spend time in the summer heat: the water blows cool, well-groomed, despite the drought, the grass descends directly to the reservoir.
Locals love to arrange small picnics here, rugs can be rented from employees, and bring a basket with goodies with you. You can feed leftovers on waterfowl or eternally hungry fish protruding muzzles from the water.
Many guests leaving reviews about Lumpini Park are amazed not only by its well-groomed and cleanliness, but also by the amazing peace and quiet in the park. Even in the territory it is forbidden to smoke and drink alcohol, even not at all strong. You still can’t take dogs for a walk. The implementation of all recommendations is monitored by strong police officers traveling on bright bikes.
Main residents
This place attracts not only the opportunity to play sports and sit on the grass, but also its amazing inhabitants. In addition to curious persistent fish in the reservoirs of the park, lizards live here, many of which reach impressive sizes. Surprisingly, respectable reptiles are not at all afraid of people and even allow themselves to be photographed. Therefore, in many photos of the Lumpini Park in Bangkok, you can see a life-loving monitor lizard sitting on some stone.
They prefer to wait out the heat of the day in the cool water of the lake, hunting for fish and sometimes frightening visitors who rented a catamaran. The sight of a meter-high monitor lizard, sticking his head out of the water next to a small boat, impresses even very cold-blooded visitors.
And in the evenings, self-confident reptiles walk freely along the park's paths. Of course, they do not come close to very crowded places, but in the shadow of a palm grove you can quite meet a couple of cold-blooded ones.
In the reservoirs of the park, turtles also feel great. There are quite a lot of them, and the population is constantly growing. It is amazing how well wild animals feel in the center of a huge city, coexisting closely with people.
Unique palm trees and a statue of the king
Guests who come to Bangkok for the first time will certainly be shown a magnificent statue of King Rama IV, whom the inhabitants of the country literally worship. It was placed at the main entrance, next to the MRT Si Lom metro station, from which it is so convenient to get to Lumpini Park. How residents relate to this monument, can be observed every day: people of all ages bring flowers, bow, offer prayers. To go to the pedestal on which the statue is mounted, you must take off your shoes, this is also a tribute.
Even during the life of the revered monarch, a unique palm garden was laid in the territory, which contains rather rare species of this plant. Some reach huge sizes, much higher than a person’s height. A sign with detailed information is installed near each tree.
The popularity of the palm garden is also explained by the fact that concerts of symphonic music are often held here. There is a small stage for those who wish to dance, so in spring evenings you can admire smartly dressed couples whirling to the sounds of a waltz.
Travel Tips
Bangkok is a rather dynamic and overpopulated city, so it is quite difficult to find comfortable accommodation for a vacation here. One of the best options is considered to be located near the famous floating market of Pattaya Lumpini Park Beach (Lumpini Park Beach) apartment complex with all amenities and fairly affordable prices.
The complex has two swimming pools, equipped gazebos, a library, constant security and a lot of greenery. In addition, the park and the city beach are very close.
The park opens early, at 4-30 in the morning. This allows residents of the surrounding houses to do their favorite sport before the start of the working day. But the gate closes at 21-00, so on an evening walk you need to follow the time so as not to stay on the bench until the morning.
Helpful information
The park is located in the very center of the city, on Rama IV Road, in the area of Pathumwan, so it will not be difficult to find it. When deciding how to get to Lumpini Park in Bangkok, you can use the services of a local taxi, it will be comfortable and relatively fast.
Not far from the main entrance, several regular buses stop (No. 4, 13, 47 and 115). When calling a stop, you need to remember that it is correct to emphasize the name of the park on the last syllable. Although friendly drivers will understand and stop the bus anyway.
Still close to the park is the MRT underground station (called Silom) and the overground underground station called Ratchdamri. Therefore, walking around Bangkok, you can use any kind of subway and quickly get to the shady park.