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Open Days: Daily
Opening Hours: 05.00 – 21.00
Santichaiprakarn Park is a community-scale public park on the Chao Phraya River with a rare kind of charm—“Old Town, but you can still breathe.” Built on a little over 8 rai, the park wraps around Phra Sumen Fort at the far end of Phra Athit Road, right where the river meets the mouth of Bang Lamphu Canal. To put it simply, this is the spot where you can slow your pace, sit by the curve of the river, watch bridges and boats drift past, and feel your mind genuinely unclench—without ever leaving Bangkok.
What makes this place a Bangkok favorite isn’t size—it’s location. There are only a handful of public parks in the city that give everyday people an open, unobstructed riverside view. Add the historic silhouette of Phra Sumen Fort, and the atmosphere becomes a clean blend of history and daily life. Even if you didn’t come here to take photos, sitting quietly is enough to feel like “the view does the work” for you.
Santichaiprakarn Park was created as part of the celebrations marking the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 6th-cycle birthday anniversary, on 5 December 1999. Because the park was designed to connect directly with the riverscape of the Chao Phraya, it is more than a place for casual walks. It also functions as a civic space that can support both community activities and, on certain occasions, ceremonial events tied to the river.
At the heart of the park is the “Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion,” a Thai-style ceremonial structure decorated with commemorative royal emblems. Nearby is a royal landing area for embarking and disembarking from ceremonial boats, prepared as part of the setting for royal traditions associated with the Chao Phraya River. This is what gives the park meaning beyond recreation: it reminds you that the Old Town and the river are not only “pretty scenery,” but a living artery of Bangkok’s ceremonies and historical identity.
On a pleasant day, the first thing you feel here is the river bend itself. The park offers an open vantage point over the Chao Phraya’s curve, and many visitors end up staying longer than planned, watching the slow movement of boats against the skyline of Thonburi. Late afternoon, just before sunset, is especially beautiful—the light softens, the breeze cools down, and photos naturally pick up that Phra Athit Road “golden-hour” mood without much effort.
Another distinctive role of this park is that it can offer a clear view of the Royal Barge Procession during the royal Kathin ceremony, when such a procession takes place. Because the riverside sightline here is not heavily blocked by buildings, many people see the park as one of the public spaces that allows citizens to witness an important national tradition in a respectful, accessible way—without turning the riverfront into a space that feels closed off or exclusive.
In everyday use, Santichaiprakarn Park was designed as a multi-purpose recreation space: a place to relax, exercise, and host community activities. The surrounding areas can accommodate different kinds of exercise, such as tai chi, aerobics, and gentle stretching. At certain times it may also host local or government events, including welcoming international guests, as well as Thai cultural celebrations such as Songkran and Loy Krathong. All of this reflects that the park is a “living park,” not just a scenic backdrop.
One reason the park stands out as a strong example of Old Town development is how it allows a historic monument and a public green space to coexist with respect for context. Phra Sumen Fort remains a tangible record of Bangkok’s past, while the park provides a practical place for people today to use—without stripping the site of its original value. You can walk, sit, and breathe, while still seeing the city’s historic structure in a calm, unhurried way—ideal for anyone who wants an Old Town trip with both visual appeal and meaning.
There is also a local memory tied to this area that people often bring up: the original “lamphu tree,” long associated with the name “Bang Lamphu.” The tree had stood here since before the park and pavilion were built, and it was preserved as a natural trace of the area. However, during the major floods of 2011, the lamphu tree died, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration later cut it down, leaving only the stump. That detail adds another layer of meaning to the park, quietly reminding visitors that riverfront neighborhoods never stop changing—and sometimes what remains is a small, silent marker of the past.
Getting There Reaching Santichaiprakarn Park is straightforward if you’re familiar with Phra Nakhon. The most classic—and most fitting—way is to take the Chao Phraya Express Boat and then walk toward Phra Athit Road; the walk is short and keeps you close to the river the whole time. If you’re arriving by public transport on main roads, you can get off around Bang Lamphu / Phra Athit Road and walk to the end of the street. By taxi or motorbike taxi, simply say “Phra Sumen Fort – Santichaiprakarn Park on Phra Athit Road,” and most drivers will know exactly where to go.
A small tip: if you want the best photo light or the most comfortable air, come early while the temperature is still gentle, or arrive in the evening before closing when the sunset glow hits the river. If you plan to sit for a while, bring water—river breezes make it easy to lose track of time. The park is an excellent “reset point” in an Old Town day, especially when you’ve been temple-hopping or café-hopping; sometimes just sitting here is enough to feel your energy return.
| Place Summary | A riverside public park in the Phra Athit Road area, built around Phra Sumen Fort on a little over 8 rai. Known for open views of the Chao Phraya river bend, relaxing seating spots, and a rare blend of green space with Old Town heritage. |
| Highlights | Open riverside views, sunset photo spots, the historic backdrop of Phra Sumen Fort, the Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion and royal landing area, walking and light exercise space, and community activity grounds. |
| Park Contact (Managing Agency) | Tel: 02 221 0195, 02 222 1035 |
| Nearby Attractions (Approx. Distance) | Phra Sumen Fort (0.2 km) Khao San Road (0.9 km) Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (1.6 km) National Museum Bangkok (2.4 km) Wat Phra Kaew / The Grand Palace (4.0 km) Wat Pho (4.4 km) |
| Nearby Restaurants (Approx. Distance + Phone) | Karim Roti Mataba (0.4 km) Tel. 02 282 2119 Shoshana Restaurant (1.0 km) Tel. 02 282 9948 May Kaidee (1.6 km) Tel. 02 629 4413 Nai Soi Beef Noodles (1.2 km) Tel. 062 064 3934 Methavalai Sorndaeng (3.4 km) Tel. 02 224 3088 |
| Nearby Accommodations (Approx. Distance + Phone) | Riva Surya Bangkok (0.8 km) Tel. 02 633 5000 Nouvo City Hotel (1.5 km) Tel. 02 282 7500 Chillax Resort (1.6 km) Tel. 02 629 4400 Buddy Lodge (1.1 km) Tel. 02 629 4477 Rambuttri Village Inn & Plaza (1.2 km) Tel. 02 282 9162 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Santichaiprakarn Park open every day?
A: Yes. It is open daily, and it’s especially pleasant in the early morning or in the evening before closing.
Q: What is the main highlight of the park?
A: The biggest highlight is the open view of the Chao Phraya river bend, sunset photo opportunities, and the Old Town atmosphere around Phra Sumen Fort, including the Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion within the park.
Q: What activities is this park suitable for?
A: It’s great for sitting and relaxing, strolling, light exercise, and as a break point during a walk between Phra Athit Road, Bang Lamphu, and Khao San Road.
Q: Why is the park associated with royal river ceremonies?
A: The park includes the Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion and a royal landing area for ceremonial boats, prepared for certain royal traditions connected to the Chao Phraya River.
Q: Is the original lamphu tree that gave Bang Lamphu its name still there?
A: The original lamphu tree died after the major floods in 2011 and was cut down, leaving only the stump as a quiet marker of local memory.
Santichaiprakarn Park Map
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 | ● Photographer: The Bier ● Link: weekendhobby.com/camp/webboard/sh ● Ref: weekendhobby.com |
● Copyright Photography. (800*500)
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