Lumpini Park—A Fitness Getaway  

 From “muscle beach” weight lifting, to jogging, circuit training and the contemplative t’ai chi, there is something for everyone at Bangkok’s outdoor fitness mecca—Lumpini Park. Named after Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal, the park is a large trapezoid of grass, lakes and trees in the center of the city. The main entrance, at the intersection of Ratchadamri, Silom and Rama IV, is just across from the Dusit Thani Hotel. There are other entrances as well on each of the sides.

For the physically fit who want to work up a sweat, or for armchair athletes, the best time to hit the park is early on any morning. The sun lies low, the trees provide maximum shade and the pollution from the nearby thoroughfares isn’t soiling the air. An asphalt road (pedestrians only) circles the park. Joggers, alone or in uniformed clusters, churn along, all courteously steering clear of the more sedate strollers.

A journey through the park will take the sightseer past groups of t’ai chi participants, all moving with slow balanced dignity to the wail of Chinese music. A sort of aerobic workout for the elderly.

Rhythm of another style is seen at the Bangkok Gym weight training set up. Here, heavyweights go about the serious business of toning and buffing themselves. A bathroom scale is thoughtfully placed outside to better serve regular customers and tempt new ones. Nearby, a circuit training course leads the energetic through a set of stations designed to increase aerobic and cardiovascular capacity.

Of course, Lumpini Park can be enjoyed even if the goal is not fitness. Just a walk along the paths and across the greens is fascinating. Little girls play cards in the grass with their mothers; some vendors sell food or Chinese tea, while others invite the curious to inspect containers of snake bile and blood. Even tango lessons may be taking place in a pagoda overlooking one of the lakes.

The waterways themselves offer exercise from the seat of your pants, as canoes and paddleboats can be rented for a pittance per hour. The middle of the lake is probably the quietest place in Lumpini—away from the music, the laughter and the ever-present muted hum of Big Mango’s traffic.

Wherever he is, the park visitor is always reminded he’s still in the city. Looking up, one sees the forests of high rises dominating the palms and other flora of Lumpini. But, being in the city is OK, for the park’s central location provides easy access for the quick fitness fix that is sometimes desperately needed on a vacation or business trip.

LUMPINI PARK

Open daily 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SkyTrain Station: Sala Daeng

AC Bus: 7  

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© 2006 Michael Williams. All Rights Reserved.

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Last updated: April 30, 2006.