When the city gets loud, I go where Bangkok exhales: lakes with dragonflies, boardwalks over wetlands, sunrise joggers and evening dog-walkers (well, not in every park - more on rules below). I plan green time early morning (soft light, cool air) or golden hour (after 4:30 pm), I keep routes stroller-friendly if exploring with a friend and their little ones, and I connect parks by BTS/MRT and skywalksso we hardly touch traffic. Here’s exactly how I do Benchasiri → Benjakitti → Lumphini in one sweep, plus a full half-day on Bang Krachao - Bangkok’s “green lung” - with bikes, ferries, and photo towers.
Benchasiri Park (Sukhumvit): tiny, handy, and stroller-friendly
Benchasiri is the pocket park I drop into when I’m around Phrom Phong. The central lake, sculpture garden, and wide loops make it perfect for an evening toddle or a quick stretch between errands. Paths are flat and easy for strollers; there’s shade along the water and plenty of benches for snack breaks. Typical hours run about 04:30–22:00; I treat early morning and dusk as the sweet spots for light and temperature.
Getting there: BTS Phrom Phong, exit toward Emporium and you’re basically at the gate.
Pair it with: Coffee inside Emporium/EmQuartier if the heat spikes; then continue to Benjakitti (one BTS stop to Asokor an easy city walk if you’re game).
Benjakitti Forest Park: skywalks, wetlands, and that skyline view
Benjakitti is my wow-them park. Boardwalks thread through wetlands; the elevated skywalk floats you above lotus ponds with 360° skyline shots; the main loop works for both walkers and cyclists. It’s free and generally open daily 05:00–21:00 (lights make sunset laps feel safe and cinematic). If you’re pushing a stroller, stick to the wide promenade and skywalk ramps - gentle grades, smooth surfaces.
What I do here:
Sunrise lap on the promenade → short detour onto the boardwalk for birds and reflections → back up to the skywalk for the city panorama.
Blue hour photos from the skywalk rails—glass + water + skyline is Bangkok at its prettiest.
Getting there: MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Center or BTS Asok/MRT Sukhumvit and walk 10–15 minutes.
Hours & fees: Free; ~05:00–21:00.
The Benjakitti - Lumphini connection (aka the “Green Bridge”)
From Benjakitti you can walk or bike to Lumphini via an elevated green corridor - a car-free ribbon above city streets. It’s well lit at night and covered in spots, with ramps that work for bikes and strollers. I love it at golden hour: breezy, safe, and photogenic the whole way.
Route tip: From Benjakitti’s north side, follow signs for the elevated walkway toward Witthayu/Embassy direction; you’ll land by Lumphini’s edges without playing Frogger across Rama IV.
Lumphini Park: Bangkok’s classic lung (and monitor-lizard cameos)
Lumphini is the city’s original big green - lakes, rental boats, running tracks, outdoor gyms, tai-chi mornings, and the occasional monitor lizard sunbathing like an uncle after lunch. It’s open daily, officially ~04:30–22:00; it breathes best at sunrise (cool air, joggers) and just before sunset when the light turns the water to honey. Do note a few rules: no smoking, no dogs (except guide dogs), and cycling is typically limited to 10:00–15:00 inside the park.
Stroller loop: Enter near Sala Daeng side, keep to the wide lakeside paths, pause at the bridges for photos, and time your exit for evening breezes along Witthayu (Wireless) Road if you’re walking back toward Benjakitti.
Picnic & park rules (what I actually do)
Picnics: Totally fine on the grass in city parks - no alcohol (national parks debate aside, Bangkok city parks remain conservative), no litter, and keep music low. I bring a small mat, bug spray, and a tote to pack out everything.
Bikes: Benjakitti welcomes bikes on its loop; Lumphini restricts cycling to 10:00–15:00. If you want an uninterrupted ride, do Benjakitti or head to Bang Krachao.
Smoking & pets: No smoking across city parks; dogs not allowed in Lumphini (guide dogs excepted).
Bang Krachao (Phra Pradaeng): Bangkok’s “green lung” by bike
When I need trees taller than buildings, I cross the river to Bang Krachao - raised bike paths, quiet canals, birdsong, and a feeling that someone turned the city volume down to 2. The anchor is Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park & Botanical Garden with bird-watching towers, lakes, and shady loops; posted hours are ~05:00–19:00 daily.
How to do it (door-to-door):
MRT Khlong Toei → short Grab/taxi to Khlong Toei Pier (Wat Khlong Toei Nok) → 2–5 minute long-tail ferryto Bang Krachao. On the Bang Krachao side, you can rent bicycles right by the pier (simple city bikes; helmets sometimes provided) and pedal 15–20 minutes to the park.
The cost of renting a bike starts from THB 30 per hour to THB 100 for a full day. Bikes for children are also available.
Inside Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan, climb a bird tower for canopy views, loop the lakes, then detour to Bang Nam Phueng Market on weekends for fresh fruit and snacks (great with kids).
Best light: Early morning is magic - cooler air, soft light through palms; late afternoon gives you long shadows and mirror-still ponds.
Family & stroller notes (from actually pushing one)
Benchasiri: Smooth, compact; best for short outings and playground time.
Benjakitti: Easiest for strollers - wide promenade, ramps to the skywalk, and benches every few minutes. Bring water; it’s open and sunny mid-day.
Lumphini: Wide paths but busier - great at sunrise/sunset; watch little ones near the lakes (the monitor lizards are chill, but they’re still wild).
Bang Krachao: Raised paths can be narrow with railings; use a baby carrier or keep the stroller to garden loops and markets.
Quick transit cheat-sheet (screenshottable)
Benchasiri: BTS Phrom Phong (Emporium exit).
Benjakitti: MRT Queen Sirikit or BTS Asok/MRT Sukhumvit + 10–15 min walk. Hours ~05:00–21:00; free.
Lumphini: BTS Sala Daeng / MRT Lumphini. Hours ~04:30–22:00. Cycling 10:00–15:00 only. No smoking/dogs.
Green Bridge (Benjakitti ↔ Lumphini): Elevated, well-lit link for walking/biking.
Bang Krachao: MRT Khlong Toei → Khlong Toei Pier → ferry → rent bikes at the pier → Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park (05:00–19:00).
Photo spots & viewpoints I love
Benjakitti skywalk railings at blue hour - city lights over still water.
Green Bridge mid-span - elevated foliage framing towers.
Lumphini bridges at sunset - warm reflections, joggers in silhouette.
Bang Krachao bird towers - canopy textures and sunrise color.
What to pack (tiny list that saves the day)
Light mat (picnics), bug spray, foldable umbrella, and cold water in a small sling.
Cash for the Bang Krachao ferry and bike rental.
Sun sleeves/hat if you’re doing Benjakitti mid-day; it’s open over the water.
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