Retirement Thailand

 

 

Lumphini Park Bangkok

 

Lumphini Park is the largest park in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is in Pathum Wan district, and even forms a sub-district (Kwaeng) of this district. 

The park covers about 360 rai (576,000 square meters). It is enclosed, and contains an artificial lake that can be navigated with rentable rowboats and pedal boats. There is even a 2.5 kilometers-long fitness trail, along with many fitness devices, such as dumbbells. The park is one of the few places that the mounted police still patrol. 

The best time to visit is early morning around seven o’clock, when Tai Chi is practiced in the morning chill by the native Chinese. When the heat is bearable again, shortly before sunset in the evening, many residents of the area are coached under the guidance of a Vorturner, with lively music aerobics. 

In winter, in the heart of the park, the Concert in the Park program is put on by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The program is a series of public concerts.

History

Lumphini Park was created in the twenties by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) on the royal estate. A statue of the king stands at the southwest entrance to the park; it was revealed on March 27, 1942. The park is named after Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal. 

At the time of its founding, the park was on the outer edge of the capital. Today it is in the downtown area at the busiest business district of Bangkok on the north side of Rama IV Road between Ratchadamri and Witthayu Street ("Wireless Road"), and is visited daily by numerous people. The first public library in Bangkok and the first public dance hall are located here.