If you are ever bored with the same scene  in Bangkok, day in and day out, and want to try something different and refresh your mind, then Suan Luang Rama IX could be the best choice for you. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth and the largest green space you will find inside the city proper! This green oasis can be found in the area of Srinakarin Road, behind Paradise Park and  Seacon Square malls. This park came to existence in 1987 and was built for the 60^th Birthday celebration of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

        

The extensive property features some beautiful pavilions, a large lake and expansive flower gardens,  as well as Thakon Phrakia Pavilion that showcases Thai teak design and sits in the middle of a lotus pond. It provides the public a great environment for relaxing, jogging, bicycling, sporting and cultural activities. You will often see, in the early morning, health conscious people jogging around the public park and taking photographs with diverse plant species and flower gardens. This botanical garden features a massive collection of plant species, along with a herbarium and a fern and orchids greenhouse.  You can visit this place for a picnic under the shade of trees or to enjoy renting a boat to go out onto the lake. There is also a pavilion dedicated to the great works of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The best time to visit this park is the winter, from late November to the early December, when the weather is dry and cooler.

       

There are also international garden areas that are inspired from some of the great gardens of the world, for example- the French garden features sculptures and a colonnade, the Italian garden has fountains. There is even a Chinese garden that has a temple and wall beautifully decorated around it. The American garden comes in a geodesic dome with cacti, which is really very impressive and eye-catching.

        

Local foods and products are available there too. If you get hungry, do not worry. There is usually a big food market located inside.

       

So if you are wondering where to bring yourself to breathe some fresh air in this noisy Bangkok metropolis, think no further. Suan Luang Rama 9 Park is definitely worth the trip.

How to travel Suan Luang Rama 9 Park

Suan Luang Rama IX is a bit off the beaten ‘public’ transportation path, however it is accessible by car or taxi from central Bangkok.  The closest BTS is Udomsuk and from there you can take a taxi.  You can tell the taxi to take you to: Suan Luang Rama 9, Sukumvit 103 Road. Entrance fee is only 10 baht per person and 30 baht for car parking. No charges after 5 pm.

Photos: Riz