As healthy living is becoming increasingly popular, city dwellers are searching for green spaces where to go running in Bangkok.
You may be mistaken to think that the only place where to go running in Bangkok is your condominium’s gym. Stop anyone in the street outside of Thailand and ask them to describe the Kingdom’s capital and you are likely to be greeted with adjectives such as chaotic, urban, and busy, and probably not with words such as quiet and tranquil. But the city has some of the best parks and green spaces where to go running in Bangkok for you to clock up your miles in. We have selected the city’s favourite parks for you to get active in.
1. Lumpini Park
Covering an area of 360 rai or 142 acres, Lumpini Park situated near Silom is Bangkok’s equivalent to London’s Hyde Park or New York’s Central Park. Accessible via the MRT stations Lumpini and Silom, and Saladaeng BTS station, Lumpini Park becomes a hive of activity after work as nearby office employees spill out to stretch their legs. There is an artificial lake in the middle and a running track, which are both set amongst lots of greenery and trees. If you aren’t wanting to join the evening joggers, rent a boat on the lake or let your children make the most of the three children’s play areas. Just watch out for the resident monitor lizards!
2. Chatuchak Park
Head north of the city on the Sukhumvit line of the BTS and you will be met by one of the oldest parks in Bangkok, Chatuchak Park. Sitting alongside Wachirabenchatat and Queen Sirikit Parks, this mass of green space is the place where nearby residents descend upon to jog around. Hop off the MRT at Phahon Yothin or Mo Chit on the BTS, and if you aren’t feeling up for a run you can rent a bike to whizz around or join the locals at the weekend who come here to tuck into a picnic.
3. Benjasiri Park
One of Bangkok’s smaller green spaces, Benjasiri Park provides a haven from the action of Sukhumvit Road. Situated on the south side of Sukhumvit Road by Phrom Phong BTS station is Benjasiri Park. This purpose built park sits among the areas glitzy shopping malls and it is a mecca for residents in the area wanting to keep fit. It might not rival some of the city’s other parks for size, but nonetheless it is still filled with a hype of action including evening aerobics and yoga too.
Situated just down the road from Benjasiri Park is the very similar named Benjakiti Park. Opened to honour Queen Sirikit’s 72nd birthday in 2004, Benjakiti Park is dominated by a huge lake in the centre. This is the park to choose where to go running in Bangkok. The place push yourself by running around asphalt track that circles the lake. Once you have stepped foot inside the park the city will immediately feel like a faraway land but the neighbouring skyscrapers provide a stunning backdrop. Benjakiti Park is accessible via Asoke BTS and Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and Sukhumvit stations of the MRT.
If you just fancy stretching your legs or want to clock up some serious running miles, with our guide it couldn’t be easier to decide where to go running in Bangkok.