The lake
Centre of the park
A large lake with paths, bridges and pedal and swan boats for rent. The view of the Silom and Sathorn towers rising behind the trees is a Bangkok classic.
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Bangkok, Thailand
Lumphini Park
Bangkok's green heart: lakes, shady paths, outdoor gyms and the park's famous monitor lizards, right next to the business district.
Favourite places
Monitor lizards
Around the lake and canals
Large water monitors swim in the lake and rest on the banks. They are wild but used to people — keep your distance and do not feed them.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)King Rama VI statue
Main entrance, Rama IV and Silom roads corner
The statue of the king who gave the park to the people stands at the main gate, often surrounded by flower offerings.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Outdoor gym and running track
Around the park
A shaded track loops the park, and open-air gyms and exercise areas fill up at dawn and after work. At 6 pm the national anthem plays and everyone stops still.
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Local food
Fresh fruit and juices
Bangkok, Thailand
Carts around the park gates sell cut pineapple, watermelon and mango, plus coconut water and fresh juices.
Jok (rice porridge)
Bangkok, Thailand
Smooth rice porridge with pork balls, ginger and egg — a popular breakfast after a morning walk.
Where to eat
Silom Road street food
Silom Road and Soi Convent, south-west of the park
Food stalls line the sois off Silom, busy at lunchtime with office workers and again in the evening.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Patpong and Silom night market
Silom Road, BTS Sala Daeng
An evening market with snacks and street food a short walk from the park.
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Where to stay
Silom & Sathorn
Bangkok, Thailand
The business district beside Lumphini Park, with good BTS and MRT links, plenty of mid-range hotels and street food and night markets after dark.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Siam & Pathum Wan
Bangkok, Thailand
The shopping centre of Bangkok, where both BTS lines meet at Siam station. A practical base with malls, food halls and Skytrain connections in every direction.
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Culture
Lumphini is where Bangkok exercises, so expect runners at dawn and aerobics groups in the evening. When the national anthem plays at 6 pm (and 8 am), people stop and stand still — visitors are expected to do the same. Do not feed the monitor lizards.
History
Lumphini was given to the people by King Rama VI in the 1920s and named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal. Today it is where Bangkok jogs, practises tai chi at dawn and rents pedal boats on the lake.
Tour plans
A green Bangkok morning
Half dayStep 1: Dawn in the park
Walk the lake as the tai chi groups gather.
Step 2: Pedal boat on the lake
See the skyline from the water.
Step 3: Breakfast on Silom
Jok or noodles from the street stalls.
Step 4: Skyline from Silom
Continue by BTS to the shops and cafés of the city centre.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
Early morning or after 4 pm.
How to get there
MRT Blue Line to Lumphini or Silom, or BTS Silom Line to Sala Daeng.
Getting around
The park is flat and best walked — a loop of the main path takes well under an hour. MRT Lumphini and MRT Silom are at its corners, with BTS Sala Daeng a short walk from the Silom gate. Bicycles are not allowed on the main paths at busy times; pedal boats can be rented on the lake.
Travel tips
Early morning and late afternoon are coolest. The lizards are harmless — just keep your distance.
