Nong Prajak Silapakom Public Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 20.00

 

Nong Prajak Silapakom Public Park, commonly known as Nong Prajak Park, is one of the most important public parks and urban landmarks in Udon Thani. Located in Mak Khaeng Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, the park surrounds a large lake in the western part of the city center. It is a place where local history, public recreation, exercise culture, family activities, and modern city life meet in one open green space. For Thai visitors, the park is closely connected with the memory of Udon Thani’s founding. For international travelers, it is one of the easiest places to understand how people in Udon Thani use public space in everyday life.

 

The lake existed before the formal establishment of Udon Thani city. In the past, it was known as “Nong Na Kluea”, a natural pond associated with the old landscape of the area. Later, it was renamed Nong Prajak in honor of Major General Prince Prachaksinlapakhom, the founder of Udon Thani. This origin gives the park historical importance beyond its function as a recreational space. The name of the park itself preserves the memory of the person who played a central role in the development of the city.

 

In 1987, Udon Thani Municipality redeveloped Nong Prajak as a public park to honor King Rama 9 on the occasion of His Majesty’s fifth-cycle birthday anniversary. The lake and surrounding area were improved with landscaped gardens, ornamental flowers, an island in the middle of the water, bridges, fountains, a clock tower, children’s play areas, walking paths, and open spaces for public use. Since then, Nong Prajak has become one of the most beloved public spaces in the city.

 

The park’s strongest feature is the large body of water at its center. The lake gives the area a cool and open atmosphere that contrasts with the busy streets and buildings of the city. Around the lake, visitors will find walking and jogging paths, outdoor exercise areas, resting points, trees, photo spots, and places where families gather in the morning and evening. Early morning is popular with runners and walkers, while late afternoon and evening are ideal for relaxation, photography, and casual city sightseeing.

 

The island in the middle of the lake is another important area. Visitors can cross bridges to reach the landscaped garden, flower beds, clock tower, and viewing points. This island gives the park a more scenic and layered character because visitors are not limited to walking only along the outer edge of the lake. From the island, the lake, trees, sky, and city surroundings can be seen from a calmer and more open angle.

 

Nong Prajak is also well known for its modern photo landmarks, especially the large yellow duck installation and lakeside sculptures. These playful and recognizable features have made the park popular with younger travelers, families, and social media users. The yellow duck against the lake and the city skyline has become one of the most familiar images of Udon Thani. This combination of old history and modern city identity makes the park appealing to a wide range of visitors.

 

The park is suitable for many activities. Visitors can walk, run, cycle, exercise, take children to the playground, sit under the trees, photograph the lake, enjoy sunset, or explore the surrounding restaurants and cafés. It is also a practical stop for travelers with limited time in Udon Thani because it is easy to reach, free to enter, and located close to several other city attractions. A short visit can take less than an hour, while a more relaxed visit with dinner or coffee nearby can easily take half a day.

 

Nong Prajak also functions as a major event space for the city. Its central location and large open areas make it suitable for festivals, public ceremonies, health activities, running events, family gatherings, and seasonal celebrations. This gives the park a strong community role. It is not only a tourist attraction but also a daily living space used by residents of many ages.

 

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon. From 06.00 to 08.00, the air is cooler and the park is active with local exercise routines. From around 16.30 to 19.00, the light becomes softer, the lake reflects the evening sky, and the atmosphere is ideal for walking and photography. Visitors who want quieter photographs should come on a weekday morning. Visitors who want to see the park at its liveliest should come in the evening.

 

The park is also a useful starting point for understanding Udon Thani’s urban history. It connects three important layers: the natural pond that existed before the modern city, the name honoring Prince Prachaksinlapakhom, and the development of a modern municipal park in 1987. In this sense, Nong Prajak is not only a lake or garden. It is a public landscape that links the city’s past with its present.

 

From an urban perspective, Nong Prajak is one of the city’s most important green and blue spaces. The lake, trees, walking paths, and open lawns give residents a place to exercise, meet friends, relax after work, and spend time with family. For visitors, this makes the park a good place to observe everyday life in Udon Thani without needing to leave the city center.

 

Getting to Nong Prajak Park is simple. It is located in central Udon Thani and can be reached by private car, taxi, local transport, or ride-hailing service. The main access roads include Phosri Road, Po Niyom Road, and the roads surrounding the lake. From the city center, the journey usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. The park is also close to several hotels, restaurants, temples, museums, and city landmarks.

 

Getting There from Udon Thani Railway Station or Central Udon is convenient by taxi or ride-hailing service. Travelers staying near Suphakit Chanya Road, Phosri Road, Po Niyom Road, or the Nong Prajak area may be able to walk or take a short local ride. International visitors can set the destination as Nong Prajak Public Park or Nong Prajak Park, Udon Thani.

 

The park can be understood as several practical zones: the main lake area, the walking and jogging loop, the central island, the bridges, the fountain and clock tower area, the children’s playground, the sculpture and yellow duck photo area, the outdoor exercise areas, shaded resting spaces, and the surrounding food and café zone. These zones make the park useful for many types of visitors, from joggers and families to photographers and travelers looking for a calm city stop.

 

Visitors should allow about 1 to 2 hours for a comfortable visit. A quick photo stop may take less time, but a full walk around the lake, a visit to the island, time for sunset, and a meal nearby will take longer. The surrounding area has many restaurants, cafés, and hotels, so the park can be used as the beginning or end of a city itinerary.

 

Good public-park etiquette is important. Visitors should keep the area clean, avoid throwing rubbish into the lake, share walking and running paths politely, watch children near the water, avoid loud noise, and follow local rules. If bringing pets, owners should keep them under control and clean up after them. Nong Prajak is a shared space, and respectful behavior helps keep it pleasant for both residents and tourists.

 

For photography, popular spots include the lakefront, bridges, central island, large sculptures, yellow duck landmark, clock tower, flower gardens, playground, and tree-lined paths. Morning light is good for calm lake reflections and exercise scenes, while evening light is better for warm colors and lively city atmosphere. The park is especially photogenic when the sky is clear and the water reflects the changing light.

 

Nong Prajak can easily be combined with other attractions in Udon Thani city. A practical city route can include Nong Prajak Park, Wat Phothisomphon, Udon Thani Museum, Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine, Wat Matchimawat, the Thai-Chinese Cultural Center, and the Chao Pu-Ya Shrine. This route gives visitors a balanced view of local history, religion, culture, city life, and recreation without requiring long-distance travel.

 

Overall, Nong Prajak Silapakom Public Park is one of the most complete and accessible places to visit in Udon Thani. It offers historical meaning, a large lake, a central island, bridges, gardens, fountains, a clock tower, playgrounds, exercise areas, photo spots, and a real view of local daily life. For travelers who want to begin understanding Udon Thani through a place that is both beautiful and actively used by local people, Nong Prajak is an ideal starting point.

 

 

A: Nong Prajak Silapakom Public Park is located in Mak Khaeng Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province, near Phosri Road and Po Niyom Road.

 

A: The park is open daily from 06.00 to 20.00.

 

A: Admission is free. Visitors can walk, exercise, take photos, and relax in the park without paying an entrance fee.

 

A: The main highlights are the large city lake, central island, bridges, fountain, clock tower, playground, jogging loop, and yellow duck photo landmark.

 

A: It was formerly called Nong Na Kluea before being renamed Nong Prajak in honor of Prince Prachaksinlapakhom, the founder of Udon Thani.

 

A: Early morning from 06.00 to 08.00 is ideal for exercise, while late afternoon from 16.30 to 19.00 is best for walking, photography, and lakeside atmosphere.

 

A: From central Udon Thani, travelers can use Phosri Road or Po Niyom Road. The park is easy to reach by private car, taxi, local transport, or ride-hailing service.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine, Udon Thani Museum, Wat Matchimawat, Wat Phothisomphon, Chao Pu-Ya Shrine, and the Thai-Chinese Cultural Center.