Peace Park (Suan Santiphap)

Rating: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 05.00 – 21.00

 

Peace Park (Suan Santiphap) is a medium-sized public park located in the heart of Bangkok, at the intersection of Ratchawithi Road and Rang Nam Road in Ratchathewi District, near Victory Monument. Despite being surrounded by heavy traffic and the fast pace of city life throughout the day, the atmosphere inside the park feels surprisingly calm, as if it were a quiet retreat clearly separated from the rhythm of the metropolis.

 

Peace Park is built on land leased by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration from the Crown Property Bureau. Construction began in 1997, and the park officially opened to the public on August 16, 1998, a date that coincides with the anniversary of the end of World War II. Choosing this significant date reflects the park’s core concept from the very beginning.

 

The name of the park carries a simple yet profound meaning. “Peace” refers to peace after war—not merely the cessation of fighting or the end of conflict, but a deeper state of inner calm. The park was therefore envisioned as a space where people can pause, reflect, and be with themselves amid a city that never truly stops moving.

 

One distinctive feature that gives Peace Park its unique identity is its name sign, written in the handwriting of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, a renowned Thai Buddhist thinker and philosopher. The simple, unadorned script reflects the park’s philosophy of tranquility, balance, and restraint, avoiding unnecessary embellishment.

 

The park’s layout does not emphasize grand landmarks or monumental structures. Instead, it focuses on a natural arrangement of trees, pathways, and resting areas. Winding walkways shaded by mature trees help reduce noise and visual disturbance from surrounding roads, allowing visitors to feel a clear “change of atmosphere” as soon as they step inside.

 

In everyday life, Peace Park is shared by a wide range of visitors. Office workers from the Victory Monument area stop by during lunch breaks, elderly residents come for gentle morning exercise, and students or individuals seeking a quiet place to read or think also make use of the space. In this way, the park truly functions as a communal green space for the urban community.

 

Getting There Peace Park is very easy to access. Visitors can take the BTS Skytrain to Victory Monument Station and walk a short distance along Rang Nam Road or Ratchawithi Road. Numerous bus routes also pass nearby, and taxis or motorcycle taxis are readily available, making the park ideal for a short break during the day or after work.

 

Overall, Peace Park may not be flashy or a popular photo hotspot like some of Bangkok’s larger parks, but its true value lies in its meaning and consistency. It is a space created to remind people of the importance of peace and to quietly offer a place of rest and reflection for city dwellers over time.

 

 

A: Yes, the park is open daily from early morning until evening and is suitable for walking or light exercise.

 

A: The park was created to symbolize peace after war and serves as a calm space for emotional and mental restoration in the city.

 

A: Its symbolic concept, the park name sign written by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and its tranquil atmosphere amid a busy urban area.

 

A: It is best suited for walking, resting, reading, or light exercise rather than noisy or high-energy activities.