Princess Mother Memorial Park (Khlong San)

Rating: 3.6/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: The park area is open daily; the museum building is open daily (except on public holidays)

Opening Hours: Park area 06:00 – 18:00; Museum building 08:30 – 16:30

 

Princess Mother Memorial Park (Khlong San) is located on Somdet Chao Phraya Road, Soi 3, Khlong San District. It gently blends a “community public park” with a “commemorative museum” within the Wat Anongkharam community by the Chao Phraya River. The overall atmosphere is calm, green, and inviting—the kind of place that nudges you to slow down. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a break from Bangkok’s constant buzz, while still enjoying meaningful stories and historical context along the way.

 

In the simplest words, this is a “small park with deep substance.” It isn’t just a space for a light stroll or gentle exercise; it also preserves important stories of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani (the Princess Mother) and the surrounding area from her early years, turning them into a learning space that feels genuinely accessible. The park’s concept is tied to conserving old buildings in the former neighborhood connected with her childhood and developing the land as a concrete public benefit for the community. It doesn’t feel like a museum that sits apart from everyday life—it feels like a museum that lives inside a park, inside a community, and inside the natural rhythm of the neighborhood.

 

This memorial park was established in response to the royal initiative of His Majesty the King beginning in 1993, with a key objective to conserve older buildings as a commemorative museum and to develop the land as a community-level public park. The landowners jointly offered approximately 4 rai in the community behind Wat Anongkharam for public use. Later, His Majesty graciously entrusted the Chaipattana Foundation with land ownership and encouraged individuals and organizations to work together through a committee formed to develop the Princess Mother Memorial Park in line with the royal initiative. The result is a place shaped by a shared effort—where conservation, community intention, and public-minded development meet in a practical, lived way.

 

The park’s purpose is immediately felt when you visit: to preserve the space as a commemorative museum honoring the Princess Mother and to develop the area as a community public park. The grounds are arranged into a front section and an inner section, welcoming visitors of all ages to relax, restore their health, gather for ceremonies or festive activities during seasonal events, and learn about plant varieties. It also functions as a venue for exhibitions, art workshops, and handicraft activities—all designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings. Rather than feeling like the garden has been “taken over” by buildings, the buildings and the garden flow together, gradually guiding you toward the stories held within.

 

For the best experience, start by taking in the “whole picture before the details.” Walk through shaded paths beneath mature trees, notice the pacing of the walkways, benches, and resting corners designed for all ages, and then ease closer to the museum zone, the park’s learning heart. Even though the space isn’t large, it’s tidy and thoughtfully arranged at a community scale. You won’t need much energy to explore, yet you’ll likely gain something rarer: time to be fully present. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light, easier walking, and naturally beautiful ambiance.

 

Many visitors love the feeling of “meaningful quiet.” Instead of constant city noise, you hear wind through leaves, gentle conversations, and the everyday life of the nearby community. That’s what sets this place apart from larger urban parks that stay lively all day. Here, recharging can be simple and polite: take a slow walk, breathe, sit for a while, and then step into the museum to absorb historical exhibits and context. It can feel like you’re “re-reading” Bangkok through a softer lens.

 

Getting There If you’re coming by public transport, you can take bus routes such as 6, 42, or 43, get off around Somdet Chao Phraya Road, and walk into Somdet Chao Phraya Soi 3 by following the signage and sidewalks toward the park. As you get closer, you’ll feel the Wat Anongkharam community atmosphere more clearly, so the journey doesn’t just end with “arriving”—it becomes a short walk through the real, lived scene of Khlong San. If you’re coming by BTS, the Khlong San / Charoen Nakhon area is convenient overall, and then you can take a taxi or motorcycle taxi into the soi. For river-lovers, you can plan a route via a nearby pier on the Thonburi side and continue on foot, though it’s wise to allow a little extra time because the neighborhood pathways and smaller lanes move at a different pace than main roads.

 

A small tip before you go: try to plan for “two rhythms.” The first is time to enjoy the garden without rushing—at least 30–45 minutes, so your body can downshift from the city’s speed. The second is time for the museum and exhibit reading. If you rush, it might feel like just another quiet park. Give it a bit more time, and you’ll start noticing the intention tucked into the details—often the reason people choose to return.

 

For families and visitors with children, this kind of park suits a “walk, look, and ask” approach more than a checklist-style visit. Try chatting about the trees, the garden layout, and why preserving old buildings matters instead of demolishing and rebuilding everything from scratch. It’s an easy way for kids to absorb ideas about conservation and the value of community spaces without feeling lectured. For photography lovers, you can capture multiple moods too—from quiet green tones to corners that echo memory and the riverside history of this part of Bangkok.

 

One thing that helps keep this place special is simple courtesy: maintain the calm and cleanliness you’d hope for in a quiet space. Because the park sits within a community and includes a museum area focused on learning, speaking softly, not littering, and dressing respectfully helps the atmosphere remain “kind” for everyone who comes after.

 

If you’re looking for a Thonburi-side Bangkok spot where you don’t have to race the clock, queue up, or spend a ton of energy—but still want greenery and a thoughtful story behind the place—this memorial park is a wonderful choice, especially on days when you want Bangkok to speak in a gentler voice.

 

 

A: The park area is open daily. The museum building is open daily, except on public holidays.

 

A: The park area is open 06:00–18:00, and the museum building is open 08:30–16:30.

 

A: Generally, there is no admission fee. If there are special events, it’s a good idea to check any specific conditions for that occasion.

 

A: Bus routes such as 6, 42, and 43 pass the area. Get off near Somdet Chao Phraya Road and walk into Somdet Chao Phraya Soi 3 to reach the park.

 

A: Yes. It’s a community-scale park with an easy walking pace, resting corners, and a learning-focused museum area. Early morning or late afternoon is recommended for more comfortable weather.

 

A: For a relaxed stroll plus time in the museum, 1–2 hours is a comfortable plan. If you continue on to Kudichin or ICONSIAM afterward, allow extra time based on your itinerary.

 

A: Yes. You can contact the site at 02-437-7799 and 02-439-0902.