Lumpini Park, Bangkok

If all the late-night gallivanting, sightseeing, and debauchery is catching up with you, and the relentless buzz of the city is making you slightly delirious, maybe a walk in the park will offer some perspective. Lumpini Park, Bangkok's oldest and largest park, is an inner-city haven of tranquility, fresh air and shade - offering city dwellers the perfect connection to nature.

Named after the birthplace of the Lord Buddha in Nepal, the park is more than half a million square kilometers big, and the habitat of various life forms. Historically, it dates back to the 1920s, and was a gift from King Rama VI to the people of Bangkok.

Following his death, the project was completed under the direction of his successor, Rama VII. Long ago, kite contests, cow races and merry-go-rounds formed part of the park's activities, and in wartimes it became a camp for Japanese soldiers. After the war, the Thai Constitution was celebrated here, and the annual Miss Siam contest was hosted on the park's island.

From Dusk Untill Dawn

To this day, at 8:00 and 18:00, as in public places all over Thailand, everything comes to a standstill - to pay respect to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej - while the national anthem is aired on loudspeakers.

Lumpini Park appeals to all sorts of people today, from wise elders practicing tai chi, sweethearts lounging at the lakeside, to the odd tourist getting happy on pure oxygen - and every other shade in between. The park is home to ever rarer indigenous flora, a forest park, and some quirky residents... Looming beyond the immediate green, glimmering city skyscrapers punctuate the scene.

A bright and early morning stride or at dusk is the best time to go see grown-ups at play. On weekends, the space is animated by families and the cheery sounds of children. Some of the colourful recreational pursuits at the park include rowing, paddleboats, and a fun outdoor gym.

Before sunset you can sweat it out at free open-air aerobics sessions to high-energy techno tunes. There is also a basketball court if you want to shoot some hoops. Often, local jazz outfits or even a classical orchestra make for fine (and free) late Sunday afternoon entertainment. Mats can be hired for 30 baht. Take a bottle of wine and picnic basket along.

The gardens are, however, spacious enough to allow a contemplative moment. A place unlike any other in Bangkok, you can kick off your shoes and let your feet touch the cool, morning-dewed grass. Watch (or join) the local fitness fundis in their various attempts to get the blood flowing - from jogging, cycling and stretching, to fencing, tai chi, yoga and ballroom dancing under a pavilion.

Boisterous Kids and Urban Survivors of Ancient Siam

If a leisurely stroll is more your style, just follow the maze-like pathways and let nature do its magic. There are also more sheltered niches, where you could read a book, meditate or have a picnic. While the young and boisterous can go climbing jungle gyms, ride the seesaw or play on the swings, it is just as easy to catch a nap in one of the shady dens surrounded by trees and refreshing foliage. Don't be alarmed if you come across some of the park's permanent 'inhabitants'...

Slinky reptiles, about the size of teenage crocodiles, surreptitiously wading out of the pond to sunbathe, squirrels doing acrobatics in the treetops, palm-sized mollusks making pilgrimage across the lawn - these are a few of God's creatures you might encounter on a visit to the park. Not quite what you'd expect to find in a metropolis of this magnitude, regard them as urban survivors of ancient Siam.

Note that while the aforementioned reptile, known as the 'water monitor lizard', might not be of the man-eating variety, it is advisable not to hand-feed him either!

Food Fix and Noodle Feast

On the subject of food, Lumpini Park has a line of small stands selling some fresh Thai food and fruit. If you're up for a chlorophyll fix, try their wheatgrass patties - a local contribution to the detox industry.

And noodle-lovers will not be disappointed by the variety of vendors camped outside the gates near the Rama VI statue, cooking up some tasty variations of 'pad thai' (a Thai noodle dish).

Lumpini is situated perfectly, framed by the roads Rama IV and Ratchadamri, (south and west) as well as Sarasin and Wireless (east and north, respectively). It is also opposite Suan Lum Night Bazaar, and within a short walking distance to both Lumpini and Silom underground (MRT) stations.

Opening hours are from 06:00 to 21:00

by: http://www.bangkok.com