Rating: 4/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 04.00 – 21.00

 

Rommaninat Park — often nicknamed Bangkok’s “Old Prison” — is the kind of place where you step inside and immediately feel this isn’t a typical city park built on an empty plot. It’s a park created by transforming the city’s memory into a space where people can breathe. Set on Maha Chai Road in Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, it sits right in the Old Town zone where you can stroll onward to major landmarks without overthinking it. And because the land once served as a prison, physical traces of the past still stand alongside trees, lawns, and activity areas that were deliberately planned. Visiting here tends to come with a story you carry back out with you.

 

Historically, the park is closely tied to Thailand’s corrections history. The site was once the Bangkok Special Prison, first constructed in R.S. 108 (1890) during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). At the time, the idea was that places of detention should align with the city’s justice system, so modern prison models from overseas were studied and adapted for Bangkok. The prison became known among the public as the “Kuk Kong Mahanthot” or, in that era’s wording, the “New Prison.” Over the years it went through multiple name changes, with its final name being “Bangkok Special Prison” before it was phased out.

 

By 1991, inmates were transferred and consolidated at Khlong Prem Central Prison, and the former prison grounds were redeveloped into a public park. The park was created and dedicated in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother on the auspicious occasion of her 60th birthday in 1992, and it was granted the name “Rommaninat,” meaning “the lady who is a refuge.” From there, the area was further developed and officially opened later, turning what had once been a closed-off boundary of the city into an open space where people of all ages can spend time.

 

What makes Rommaninat Park distinctive is how it preserves prison-era symbols as part of the landscape without forcing the vibe. Sections of perimeter walls, guard towers, and parts of the entrance remain like a frame of memory, while the interior has been softened with greenery and real, usable activity zones. If you come specifically looking for the “Old Prison” atmosphere, you’ll still be able to sense how the original layout once worked. If you come for simpler reasons — a jog, a stretch, or a quiet corner to sit — you’ll find a well-equipped health-focused park in the heart of the city.

 

Walk deeper inside and many visitors pause at the fountain area and the “Bronze Conch” sculpture, designed with layered symbolism. The water flows from the conch’s mouth into the pool, the composition is tied to the idea of pure royal benevolence, and an original guard tower was preserved as part of the fountain setting. It ends up being more than a photo spot — it’s a visual scene that explains how the site transitioned into its present role.

 

In practical terms, the park is clearly set up as a “health park.” There are walkways and paths suitable for looping walks or light runs, outdoor exercise equipment for simple strength work and stretching, and sport areas such as a basketball court and a skate space. The activity zones are positioned to reduce interference between groups, and there’s also a solid children’s playground. On many days you’ll see locals power-walking, jogging, or letting kids burn energy, which gives the park a daily-life rhythm rather than a pure check-in vibe.

 

One reason Rommaninat Park feels especially “worth it” is how easily it connects into an Old Town walking itinerary. Travelers can plan a full day on foot: use the park as a rest stop and photo break, then continue to landmarks like the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat (very easy on foot), or push onward to Loha Prasat / Wat Ratchanatdaram and finish at the Golden Mount near evening. For Bangkok locals who want a workout, it’s a convenient option that doesn’t require battling traffic, and the open layout plus steady foot traffic tends to make the atmosphere feel comfortably safe.

 

Another point of interest is the Corrections Museum. In the past, it was often described as opening alongside the park and presenting stories, tools of punishment, and the evolution of Thailand’s corrections system. However, information online has varied over time due to relocations and exhibition changes, so if you are visiting specifically to see the museum, it’s smart to verify the latest status from an official source before you go. That way you won’t waste the trip and can pivot to nearby Old Town sights if needed.

 

Getting There The most convenient way to reach Rommaninat Park is by MRT to Sam Yot Station, then walking just a few minutes. If you exit on the side closest to Maha Chai Road / the Samran Rat area, you can reach the park with minimal fuss. If you drive, you can access the area via Siriphong Road or Maha Chai Road. Parking availability depends on conditions in the Old Town zone, which can be crowded at peak times, so it’s wise to allow extra time. Taxis, motorbike taxis, and public transport are also easy to use because this is a major Phra Nakhon tourist area.

 

For visitors who want to continue sightseeing on foot without backtracking, popular nearby stops include the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat, both closely associated with Bangkok’s Old Town image. Another easy option is to walk back to Sam Yot Station and hop on the MRT to other areas. If you enjoy longer walks, you can also use the park as a midway rest point before continuing toward the Grand Palace / Tha Tien area, depending on your stamina.

 

A small tip for the best feel is timing. Bangkok heat can get intense from late morning through afternoon, so early mornings tend to be calm and comfortable for walking or running. Late afternoon to early evening often gives softer light for photos of the preserved walls, guard elements, and tree lines. The park is free to enter and open daily; Bangkok city sources list opening hours as 04.00 – 21.00, and the contact number as 02 221 5181.

 

Ultimately, if you see Rommaninat Park as a place that tells the city’s story, it becomes a lesson in how a space can change roles with meaning — from confinement to respite, from separation to shared public life. It’s also a spot that adds balance to an Old Town Bangkok day: not only temples and museums, but also a pause to sit, watch people, and let the city speak at its own pace.

 

 

A: Yes. It is open daily, with listed hours of 04.00 – 21.00.

 

A: It works well for brisk walking, light jogging, stretching, outdoor fitness equipment, and activities in the sports areas such as basketball and skating. There is also a playground for children.

 

A: Sam Yot Station is the closest, with a short walk to the park.

 

A: Key elements such as sections of the original walls, guard towers, and entrance features were preserved as symbolic reminders of the site’s former role.

 

A: The preserved wall and guard elements give the strongest “Old Prison” feel. The fountain area with the Bronze Conch sculpture is a great spot for wide shots, especially in late-afternoon light.

 

A: For a relaxed walk and photos, 45 – 90 minutes is comfortable. If you are exercising seriously or visiting with kids, 2 – 3 hours can pass quickly.

 

A: The Giant Swing and Wat Suthat are easy to reach on foot. You can also plan a route continuing to Loha Prasat and the Golden Mount, or return to Sam Yot Station to connect elsewhere by MRT.

 

A: Check the latest status from an official source before you go, as online information has varied due to relocations and exhibition changes.