Lumpini
park: The oldest and most popular
public park
Did you know that although Thailand
does not have the largest Buddhist
population but it
is rated as the world most
concentrated Buddhist country?
About 95% of the Thais are Buddhist
and Lumpini park was influenced by
Buddhism. Lumpini is Buddha's
birthplace in
Nepal.
Lumpini park is represents Buddha's
place
in
Thailand.
Meaning, this park is
more
than
just
a
park
for
the
Thais.
The park was donated and founded by
King
Rama
6
in
1925 covering
an
area
of
360
rai
(approx.
576,000
sq m. Super huge for Bangkok.)Today, Lumpini park is Thailand's most
famous,
popular,
and classic park. (Its
name
is
already
classic
in
the
first
place.)
It's role on Bangkok people is
similar to what Central
Park
is for the
New Yorkers.
As
Thailand’s
first
public
park,
Lumpini park has
shared
its
role
in
the
nation's history both the
good
and
the
bad times.
It was a venue for
free
speeches,
Miss
Siam
Beauty
Contest
(when
Thailand
was
formerly named
Siam),
and
even
a
military camp for the Japanese
troops
during
World
War
II.
Your can witness the buildings in
the park dating back since its early
years.
Did you know that Lumpini park is
known as the lung of Bangkok? (That’s
a
Thai
saying
for
a
green
area.) Bangkok people treasure
this lung so much that not even an
inch of it could be cut off. There
was
once
an
idea
to
divide a
tiny
portion
of
this
lung
but the
idea
was protested and collapsed
very shortly.
As said earlier, Lumpini park is more
than
just
a
public
park.
Hours: 5 am-9 pm, daily
Bits & Pieces
1. Visitors are entitled to rise and
standstill in respect of the Thai
national anthem aired daily in
the park at 8 am and 6 pm.
2. Kites, football, pets, animal
feeding, and smoking are not allowed. (2,000 Baht
fine)
3. Lumpini park is crowded during 6 am to
8 am. Most visitors are senior
citizens doing exercises like Tai Chi,
dancing, yoga, etc.
4. Sunbathing in swimsuits is
forbidden. Also, in any public
parks in Thailand.
5. Around February to April of each year,
there is a free live "Music in the park"
concert on every Sunday evening.
Rating 4/5
Review
If you love photographing,
people watching, and exercising
(jogging, walking, canoeing etc.,)
Lumpini park is the most popular in
Bangkok. And possibly, unlike
any public parks in the world; you
can join aerobics guided by
professional instructors for
free. (Whether you're advanced
or a novice, you're always
welcome.) There are also body
building corners around the park
provided for you (again) free of
charge.
Since the ratio of public parks in
Bangkok is below world standard,
Lumpini park may be tiny comparing
to cities like New York and Sydney.
(The jogging track around the park
is merely 7-8 km.) Further, it
is bordered by congested roads and
skyscrapers so do not expect fresh
air here.
Lumpini park is ideal for
- Joggers, runners, walkers, etc. 5/5
- Children (for the playground) 5/5
- Basketball players 4/5
- People watchers 4/5
- Photographers 4/5
- Romantic couples 3/5
Reviewer Chai
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