Once a somewhat-neglected expanse of land centered around a seldom-visited lake, Benjakitti Park has undergone a major revamp, with land from a former tobacco business incorporated to form the largest park on Th Sukhumvit. What used to be a big lawn for the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre has been updated to include a forest park, elevated walkways, an outdoor recreation area and health park spreading over 72 hectares. This has led to a surge in enthusiasm among Bangkokians, with its thoroughfares liberally dotted by joggers, cyclists and walkers at sunrise and sunset, all taking advantage of an additional 10+ tracks earmarked specifically for them. Visitors without a bicycle can conveniently rent one nearby at Bangkok Forest Cycling (bangkokforestcycling.com; two hours 350฿).
Besides the original lake encircled by a 1.6km jogging and walking trail, the 1.7-km-long Skywalk over the newer forest park will take you past different types of local flora, as well as native wetlands. There is a concerted effort to attract different types of birds to the area – all the better to attract accompanying birdwatchers – and a museum is slated to join the open-air amphitheater as a recent addition to the park. Even better, there is now a dog park in which to walk your dog (as of yet still a rarity in the city) and a shady spot for picnics by the lake. Finally, children can enjoy the resident playground, and there are free fitness machines along the paths.
