Benjakitti Park

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Benjakitti Park
Benjakitti Park, Bangkok
Map
TypeUrban Park
LocationRatchadapisek Road (between Rama IV Road and Sukhumvit Road), Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand
Coordinates13°43′45.84″N 100°33′30.96″E / 13.7294000°N 100.5586000°E / 13.7294000; 100.5586000
Area72 hectares (180 acres)
Created9 December 2004 (2004-12-09)
Operated byBangkok Metropolitan Administration
StatusOpen from 4.30 am to 9.00 pm

Benjakitti Park[1] (Thai: สวนเบญจกิติ, RTGSSuan Benchakitti, pronounced [sǔa̯n bēn.t͡ɕàʔ.kìt.tìʔ]) is a public park located in the Khlong Toei District of Bangkok, Thailand. Since its opening in 1992, Benjakitti Park has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation and exercise in Bangkok.[2]

Location

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Benjakitti Park is located in the Khlong Toei District of central Bangkok; situated next to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It is close to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT station, Sukhumvit MRT station and Asok BTS station.

History

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It was officially opened in 2004 (on land formally owned by the Tobacco Authority of Thailand) to honor the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit.[3] Before that, it had been in operation since 1992, the year the Queen turned 60 (5th cycle), hence the name "Bejakitti" (5 cycles). The name "Benjakitti" was given by Queen Sirikit during the opening. Benjakitti Park has a landmark symbol called “Pathumthani” near the pond.[4] Benjakitti Park was developed from Tobacco pond area 200x800 meters, built by digging and reclamation. This park was part of the project replacement area from resolutions in the government of Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun.

Between 1 and 9 December 2014, this park was used for performing theater and a spectacular technique to commemorate the King "The Phra Mahachanok The Phenomenal Life Show" by the stage in the middle of the pond over 100 meters which is the longest water stage in the country.[5] It includes a central boating lake, an outdoor exercise area, a cycling track[6] and a path that is used by walkers and joggers;[7] bicycles and boats can be hired in the park.[8]

Expansion to Benjakitti Forest Park

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A major expansion of the park was approved in 2006, with land granted from the Tobacco Monopoly to build Benjakitti Forest Park to celebrate Queen Sirikit's birthday in 2006. The 652-million baht expansion makes Benjakitti Park the first park in Bangkok with a forest park, and expands the size of the park to 72 hectares. Facilities include elevated walkways, wetlands, rare plant areas, cycle paths and an outdoor amphitheatre.[9] The expansion fully opened in 2022.[10] [11] [12]

The park is bridged to another public park, Lumphini Park by the 1.3 km long National Sports Development Fund-Sports Authority of Thailand (NSDF-SAT) Park, an elevated pedestrian walkway and bicycle trail at the southwest corner of the park.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "สวนเบญจกิติ Benchakitti Park". office.bangkok.go.th (in Thai). Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  2. ^ Paddock, Richard C. (2024-05-11). "Big, Smoggy Bangkok Gets a Badly Needed Breath of Fresh Air". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  3. ^ "Parks in Sukhumvit". Bangkok.Com.
  4. ^ "เที่ยวสวนกลางเมือง ที่สวนเบญจกิติ". Manager Online. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
  5. ^ "1-9 ธ.ค.นี้ ชมฟรี!!! "พระมหาชนกฯไลฟ์ โชว์" ละครเพลงกลางน้ำสุดอลังการ". Manager Online (in Thai). 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
  6. ^ "Bicycle Parks in Bangkok City". Bicycle Thailand.
  7. ^ "Where to go for a Run in Bangkok". Discover Bangkok.
  8. ^ "Parks in Sukhumvit". Bangkok.Com.
  9. ^ รายงานพิเศษ : สวนป่าเบญจกิติ ปอดใหญ่แห่งใหม่ของคนกรุง, archived from the original on 2017-11-09, retrieved 2017-11-08
  10. ^ "Benjakitti Park expansion set for Feb". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  11. ^ Ashworth, Caitlin (2021-02-04). "Bangkok's future is green, forest park project set to finish next year". Thaiger. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  12. ^ "Benjakitti Forest Park: Bangkok's new green space is a must see". Hua Hin Today. March 5, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "7 เส้นทางลับ ของนักวิ่ง" [7 secret routes of runner]. MiX Magazine (in Thai). Retrieved 2021-01-18.

13°43′46″N 100°33′31″E / 13.7294°N 100.5586°E / 13.7294; 100.5586