Benjakitti Park is a public park in Khlong Toei District of Bangkok, Thailand. The park is on former land of the tobacco monopoly (the Tobacco Authority of Thailand). The factory was relocated and the land was converted into a park in 1992. Benjakitti Park was established in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, to commemorate her 5th cycle (60th) birthday. The Queen Mother presided over its official opening on 5 December 2004.
Benjakitti Park is remarkable for its size and for the fact that this prime land near Sukhumvit Road wasn’t sold off to property developers.
[Benjakitti pond.]
In 2016 the rest of the tobacco factory grounds were repurposed to create an ecological forest park. The expanded area is a forest park that includes a wetland area. The park has a skybridge that allows visitors to walk around the park on an elevated walkway.
[Benjakitti Park skywalk.]
Facilities include a sports complex in the old tobacco warehouses, cycle paths, an open-air arena, and a museum. The expanded park fully opened in 2022.
[Dedicated dog park in Benjakitti Park.]
[Asian Openbill in the wetland section of Benjakitti Park.]
[Benjakitti Park wetland area and the buildings of One Bangkok in the distance.]
[Warehouses converted into sports facilities.]
Benjakitti Park is connected to Lumphini Park by a 1.3 km long elevated pedestrian walkway and bicycle trail, known as the Green Bridge.
[The Green Bridge connecting Benjakitti Park and Lumphini Park.]
Benjakitti Park maps
[Map of Benjakitti Park.]
Benjakitti Park covers an area of 450 rai (180 acres). The park is near Sukhumvit Road, and is accessible from Sukhumvit 4 and Sukhumvit 10. It is close to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT station, Sukhumvit MRT station, Asok BTS station, and Nana BTS station.
[View full map of Benjakitti Park.]
Links and resources
Benjakitti Forest Park / Turenscape + Arsomsilp Community and Environmental Architect
“Benjakitti Park is an urban park located in the former Tobacco factory area, owned by The Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance. The site covers 720,000 sq.m. After The Tobacco factory was relocated, the site was developed to become an urban park in Bangkok.”
News archive
2024
Benjakitti Forest Park: Transforming a brown field into urban nature – [24/07/24]
Big, smoggy Bangkok gets a badly needed breath of fresh air – [11/05/24]
“In the heart of this megacity, an industrial site has been turned into an oasis for residents (and birds, bats and mosquito-eating dragonflies).”
How oxygen treatment was used to deal with wastewater at Benjakitti Park – [22/02/24]
2023
Landscape Of The Year 2023 Award goes to Benjakitti Forest Park at WAF 2023 – [04/12/23]
“Landscape of the Year went to the project, titled Benjakitti Forest Park: Transforming a Brownfield into an Urban Ecological Sanctuary, designed by TURENSCAPE and Arsomsilp Community and Environmental Architect in Thailand.
World Architecture Festival took place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on the 29 November – 1 December 2023.”
Art comes to the park – [31/07/23]
“‘Greeting Benjakitti’ features unique installations that coexist with the lush surroundings.”
‘Benchakitti not a golf course’, says Bangkok governor as park trees wilt – [17/01/23]
“Bangkok has not abandoned its duty to take care of Benchakitti Forest Park, said governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Monday, responding to public complaints of trees wilting in the park.”
2022
Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park extension is an ambitious and fresh approach to creating urban green spaces – [10/12/22]
“It includes jogger tracks and a large amphitheatre, set amidst water features and lush greenery.”
Finally, dogs are now allowed in a park – [20/09/22]
“Benjakitti Forest Park is Bangkok’s first pet-friendly park.”
New park in central Bangkok gives Thais needed green space – [19/06/22]
” Bursting with trees, ponds, plants and birdlife, a new inner-city park is delighting residents of Thailand’s bustling, congested capital. Every day, crowds visit Benjakitti Forest Park to savor a taste of nature in the heart of Bangkok.”
Central Bangkok redevelops around new green heart – [10/06/22]
“This hidden land was occupied until 2018 by the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, now located about 80 km north of Bangkok at Ayutthaya. Far from being given over to commercial development, however, this prime land has been turned into a public park that is so novel it is helping to redefine this part of the city center.”
A review of Bangkok’s new wetland park – [06/01/22]
“Phase two of the Benjakitti Park, opened quietly last December, offered visitors a new and different experience from other public parks – it is modern, minimalist and naturalistic.”
2021
Take a peek inside Bangkok’s massive downtown park upgrade (Photos) – [24/11/21]
In pictures: Benchakitti Park’s expansion – [23/11/21]
“The newly expanded Benchakitti Park extends into space once occupied by an old government-owned tobacco factory.”
New lung of Bangkok expected to fully ready in Feb 2022 – [21/02/21]
“The first phase of redeveloping the Benjakitti Park will be completed by June 2021 to be open for Mother’s Day, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said.”
2020
Finance Ministry okays plan to develop Benjakitti Forest Park – [22/10/20]
“The Finance Ministry has given the green light to the Treasury Department and the Royal Thai Army to start developing Bangkok’s Benjakitti Forest Park from next month.”
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