Nature Things to Do in Bangkok: Parks, Forests and Gardens

The best nature things to do in Bangkok are in its big public parks: walking or paddling on the lake at Lumphini Park, crossing the elevated skywalk through the planted wetland forest at Benjakitti Park, and spending a morning among the gardens and plant collections of Suan Luang Rama IX or the Chatuchak park cluster. All are run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), most are free, and most open from 4:30 or 5 a.m., because the cool early morning is when the city uses them.

This guide covers the parks within the City of Bangkok that are easiest for visitors to reach and have the most to see, with the rail stations the BMA itself recommends. Hours and fees are in the FAQ at the end.

Lumphini Park: the city's first public park

Lumphini Park is Bangkok's first public park, and the BMA notes it reached its 100th year in 2025. It sits between Rama IV, Ratchadamri and Wireless roads, on the edge of Silom, and its large lake is the center of everything: the BMA lists kayaking, paddle boating and stand-up paddleboarding, a lawn for yoga and aerobics, a playground, exercise equipment and set hours for cycling.

Look for the monument to King Rama VI, built in 1942 to honor the park's founder, the old clock tower that serves as a meeting point, and the octagonal Sala Phirom Phakdi, used for music events. The park's water birds and the large monitor lizards along the banks are part of the scene; give the lizards space.

Getting there: MRT Silom or Lumphini, or BTS Sala Daeng and the skywalk across Rama IV Road.

Benjakitti Park: a forest grown on purpose

About 1.9 kilometers east of Lumphini (a straight-line figure computed from map coordinates), Benjakitti Park covers 450 rai beside the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Much of it was designed as a wetland forest: the BMA says 1,733 existing trees were kept and more than 7,000 added, with over 300 local plant species around four large ponds that also help manage flooding.

The highlight is the 1.6-kilometer elevated skywalk, which lets you walk above the planting and water. It joins the Green Bridge to Lumphini Park, so the two can be walked as one green route. On the ground there are separate walking, running and cycling routes, duck-shaped pedal boats and kayaks, and a demonstration field of five colors of rice. The BMA points visitors to MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, MRT Sukhumvit or BTS Asok.

Suan Luang Rama IX: the biggest park and botanical garden

For a proper half day of plants, go east to Suan Luang Rama IX in Prawet district. The BMA describes it as the largest public park and botanical garden in Bangkok, at 500 rai, with a botanical garden of more than 3,300 plant species arranged on taxonomic and ecological principles, indoor and desert plant houses, a herb garden and a herbarium.

Other features include Suan Rommanee, a garden imitating Thai landscapes of rock, forest, waterfall and stream; the Traphang Kaew lake, used for rowing and pedal boats; the nine-sided Ratchamongkol Hall; and a golden pavilion on a lotus pond, a replica of the Aisawan Thiphya-Asana throne hall at Bang Pa-In Palace. Each year-end the park holds a plant fair with seasonal flower displays.

It is far from the center, about 14 kilometers in a straight line from Lumphini. The BMA's directions are BTS Udom Suk, then a bus along Soi Sukhumvit 103. Unlike the central parks, it charges a small admission fee.

The Chatuchak park cluster

In north Bangkok, three BMA parks sit close together near Mo Chit, and they are easy to combine with the Chatuchak Weekend Market, whose plant stalls are a draw in their own right.

Queen Sirikit Park

The BMA calls this one of the most complete botanical gardens in Thailand, with over 2,000 plant species. Look for the lotus square with its collection of Thai and foreign lotus and old ceramic jars, the Thai Plants Building with plants and orchids from each region, the Royal Fragrant Garden, and Thailand's first garden for visually impaired visitors, planted for scent and fitted with handrails. Families can add the Bangkok Children's Museum inside the park. By Google Places coordinates, the park is under a kilometer north of the weekend market.

Wachirabenchathat Park (Suan Rot Fai)

The largest of the three at 375 rai, and the one for activity: cycling, pedal boats and kayaks, and a pet-friendly policy. Inside are the Bangkok Butterfly and Insectarium, an urban forest planted with large old trees saved from development, and a fountain the BMA describes as Thailand's highest, at 72 meters. The BMA lists MRT Phahon Yothin, Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet, and BTS Mo Chit.

Chatuchak Park

The first park of the group, known for its big trees, a flower clock, a literary garden of trees named in Thai classics, and seasonal sunflower and marigold fields with a view of the trains. Take BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park. Cycling is not allowed here.

A smaller stop on Sukhumvit: Benjasiri Park

If you are staying on Sukhumvit and want green space without a trip, Benjasiri Park covers 29 rai between Soi 22 and 24, next to BTS Phrom Phong. The BMA lists 18 sculptures by Thai national artists, a musical fountain show, a playground, sports courts and a public swimming pool. It is small, but a pleasant hour in the shade.

Planning tips

• Go early or late. The central parks open at 4:30 a.m.; mornings and early evenings are cooler and when most people exercise.
• Know the rules. The BMA prohibits smoking, alcohol, drones and trading in its parks, and most do not allow pets. Cycling is allowed only in some parks and at set hours.
• Bang Krachao is not in Bangkok. The green river bend often called Bangkok's lung lies across the Chao Phraya in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province, so it is outside the scope of this guide.

For more ideas, see our guide to Bangkok attractions.

Sources: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Greener Bangkok park pages for Lumphini Park, Benjakitti Park, Suan Luang Rama IX, Queen Sirikit Park, Wachirabenchathat Park, Chatuchak Park and Benjasiri Park (read from archived copies, as the site blocks automated access). Distances computed from Google Places coordinates. Checked September 26, 2026.