Benjasiri Park

Rating: 4/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Open daily

Opening Hours: 05:00 – 21:00

 

Benjasiri Park is a small community-level public park with a remarkably important role in the Sukhumvit area of central Bangkok. Surrounded by dense office buildings, shopping malls, and residential developments, the park functions as a shared public space where diverse groups of people come together, including office workers, local residents, tourists, and elderly members of nearby communities.

 

The park was developed on a former 29-rai site that once belonged to the Thai Meteorological Department, which was previously located along Sukhumvit Road before relocating to Bang Na District, Bangkok. This transformation from a government facility into a public park reflects a concrete approach to reclaiming inner-city land for public benefit during a period of rapid urban expansion.

 

The surrounding context of Benjasiri Park places it at the heart of an economically and logistically significant area. It sits next to Emporium Shopping Mall and is close to the former Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, as well as land managed by the Treasury Department under the Ministry of Finance. The presence of a community-scale park within such a commercially intensive district helps restore balance, ensuring that the urban landscape is not dominated solely by commercial activity.

 

Benjasiri Park was developed during the administration of Prime Minister General Chatichai Choonhavan to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, in 1992. The name “Benjasiri” was graciously bestowed to convey auspiciousness and cultural value, giving the park symbolic significance alongside its everyday function for the public.

 

The layout of Benjasiri Park is designed to be accessible and welcoming to visitors of all ages. The park features open lawns, activity areas, a small pond, walking paths, and interconnected seating spaces. Its compact scale makes the park easy to navigate, encouraging frequent and casual visits while fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

 

From an urban community perspective, Benjasiri Park serves as a shared civic space where people living in a dense metropolitan environment can reconnect without formal boundaries. Regular visitors often encounter one another at the same times each day, creating a sense of familiarity and belonging. Even without personal introductions, users develop an unspoken awareness of shared presence within this small urban community.

 

A defining feature of Benjasiri Park is its role as an open-air art space. The park is home to 12 permanent sculptures created by nationally recognized artists and leading figures in Thai contemporary art, all donated as acts of tribute. Rather than being confined to indoor galleries, these works are integrated into walking paths, lawns, and resting areas, allowing art to merge naturally with everyday life.

 

The presence of permanent public art elevates the park beyond a typical recreational space into an informal cultural learning environment. Children may grow up surrounded by these sculptures without consciously realizing their significance, while adults find moments of visual and emotional respite amid the pace of city life. In this way, learning and cultural appreciation become part of daily routines rather than isolated experiences.

 

Benjasiri Park has also played a role in social and political life, having served as a venue for major political rallies during several election periods between 2007 and 2011. These events demonstrate that public parks are not merely green spaces for leisure, but also platforms for civic expression and public participation within an urban society.

 

The park’s ability to accommodate recreation, art, and civic expression within the same space highlights the flexibility and importance of public spaces in major cities. Benjasiri Park is therefore an example of a park whose identity is not fixed, but evolves in response to the social and cultural needs of its time.

 

On a human level, visiting Benjasiri Park is less about spectacle and more about quiet, shared presence. Sitting under the trees, observing passersby, or walking among sculptures allows visitors to experience Bangkok in a gentler and more approachable way—distinct from the city’s more hectic and crowded image.

 

Getting There Benjasiri Park is located directly along Sukhumvit Road and is easily accessible by BTS Skytrain. Visitors can get off at Phrom Phong Station and walk through Emporium Shopping Mall to reach the park. This makes it especially convenient for those using public transportation and wishing to avoid driving in the city center.

 

 

A: Yes, the park is open daily.

 

A: It is an open-air sculpture park that combines urban community life, art, and civic engagement within a single space.

 

A: Yes. Its compact layout, safety, and easy access make it suitable for all age groups.

 

A: About 1–2 hours is ideal for strolling, enjoying the sculptures, and relaxing.