Benjakiti Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

Revealing Bangkok's Best Parks For Jogging

Updated: 9 February 2017

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You aren’t supposed to run on the sidewalks in Bangkok — for one, locals are incredibly confused when they see someone weaving in and out of food stalls and herds of people. It is also not uncommon to see motorbike taxis take to the sidewalks to avoid heavy traffic. That being said, where are you supposed to go for a good run? Between Sky bars, skyscrapers and the Skytrain, Bangkok sounds like one intimidating urban city for a jogger! That isn’t always the case, though; there are plenty of green sanctuaries found throughout Bangkok, even in some of the busiest neighborhoods downtown. Here we reveal Bangkok’s best parks for those looking to go for a nice jog.

Santiphap Park

Walking around Bangkok in Thailand’s brutal heat can be rough, which means jogging in this type of climate could be nearly unbearable. Thankfully, Santiphap Park is almost entirely shaded. Located about a five minute walk from the Victory Monument Skytrain stop, hopeful joggers will find Santiphap Park, one of our favorite green spaces in Bangkok. One of the first things you will notice about this park is the music, which plays from speakers atop gold-tipped poles set along the trails.

Santiphap Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

There is also an “indoor” plant exhibit, which in reality is just a covered greenhouse. Cobbled pathways lead you through a small playground where there is a makeshift gym towards the side entrance. You can run multiple laps around this park and see something new each and every time. Head towards the side entrance to check out the park’s stoned concrete slab, or as the sign says, “Massage for foot.”

Makeshift foot massage in Santiphap Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

Santiphap Park, Soi Ratchawithi 3, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand +66 2 245 2461

Chatuchak Park

Chatuchak Park is located right off the Skytrain stop Mochit. This park has outdoor gym equipment and several playgrounds throughout it. Many Bangkokians come here to relax after work with an evening stroll.

Pond in Chatuchak Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

If you run on the weekend, the park will be fairly crowded due to its close proximity to legendary Chatuchak Weekend Market. That being said, there will be double the food and drink stalls surrounding the park due to the crowds. The joggings paths here are wide, so you will have no problem weaving in and out of the crowds that gather on Saturdays and Sundays.

Running path in Chatuchak Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

Chatuchak Park, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Suan Luang Rama IX Park

Those of you who are committed joggers and really want to escape the city should head to Suan Luang Rama IX Park. You can definitely stretch your legs here; it is the largest park in Bangkok, and takes up several hundred acres of land. There is a ฿10 entrance fee but it’s a small price to pay to see this breathtaking park. There are gardens, wooden pavilions and the Thakon Phrakia Pavilion that sits in the middle of a lotus pond. Bring your phone for some running music and be sure to take some photos along your route!

Suan Luang Rama IX Park, Dok Mai, Prawet, Bangkok, Thailand +66 92 438 2849

Lumpini Park

Unlike Santiphap Park, Lumpini Park is so big that you might not be able to jog its entirety without having to stop for a break. Luckily for you, there are plenty of stalls and vendors located sporadically throughout the park to offer you fresh juice or grilled pork on skewers during a quick break. The trail is about two and a half kilometers long and along the way you might run into fellow joggers, an aerobics class or two and, of course, at least one of the many monitor lizards that have made this green space their home.

Lumpini Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

Lumpini Park, 139/4 Witthayu Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand +66 90 248 9874

Benjakiti Park

Make your way downtown to one of the busiest neighborhoods of the city — and escape the city at the same time. Benjakiti Park, about a ten minute walk off of the Skytrain stop Asok, is truly as quiet as parks can get. Benjakiti Park is great for runners because there are two separate paths visitors can take: one for those on bicycles and another for those on foot.

Jogging path in Benjakitti Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

The walking path hugs the outside of a large pond that is in the center of the park and the additional biking trails wrap around the outside. Alongside this path is an abundance of colorful, well-groomed flower bushes. The park opened in honor of Queen Sirikit’s 72^nd birthday, but the park remains a well-kept secret to most of those that reside in Bangkok. Even during the busiest hours of the day, this park is known to be peacefully quiet. The walkway is about 2 kilometers total around the lake.

View from Benjakitti Park/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

Benjakiti Park, Ratchadaphisek Rd, Bangkok, Thailand

By Kelly Iverson