Saranrom Royal Garden

Lonely Planet review

Easily mistaken for a European public garden, this Victorian-era green space was originally designed as a royal residence in the time of Rama IV (King Mongkut; r 1851-68). After Rama VII abdicated in 1935, the palace served as the headquarters of the People's Party, the political organisation that orchestrated the handover of the government. The open space remained and in 1960 was opened to the public.

Today a wander through the garden reveals a Victorian gazebo, paths lined with frangipani and a moat around a marble monument built in honour of Rama V's wife, Queen Sunantha, who died in a boating accident. The queen was on her way to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace in Ayuthaya when her boat began to sink. The custom at the time was that commoners were forbidden to touch royalty, which prevented her attendants saving her from drowning.

The satellite corners of the park are filled with weightlifting equipment where a túk-túk driver might do some leg crunches in between telling tourists that the sights they are looking for have closed. As the day cools various aerobics and dance classes practice their synchronisation.