Benjakitti Park ( th, สวนเบญจกิติ, , ) is a public park in the

Khlong Toei District Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, th, คลองเตย, ) is a district in central Bangkok, long known for its slum. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the site of a major market, the Khlong T ...

of central Bangkok; situated next to the

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) (Thai: ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิติ์) or also known simply as Queen Sirikit Convention Center, is a convention center and exhibition ha ...

. It is close to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station, Sukhumvit MRT Station and Asok BTS Station.

History

It was officially opened in 2004 (on land formally owned by the

Tobacco Authority of Thailand The Tobacco Authority of Thailand ( th, การยาสูบแห่งประเทศไทย; ) (TOAT), is a Thai state enterprise and the sole legal entity permitted to produce tobacco products in the country, mostly cigarettes. It wa ...

) to honor the 72nd birthday of

Queen Sirikit Queen Sirikit ( th, สิริกิติ์; ; ); born ''Mom Rajawongse'' Sirikit Kitiyakara ( th, สิริกิติ์ กิติยากร; ; 12 August 1932) is the queen mother of Thailand. She was Queen of Thailand as the wif ...

. 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. 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 Anand Panyarachun ( th, อานันท์ ปันยารชุน, , ; born 9 August 1932) was Thailand's Prime Minister twice: once in 1991–1992 and again during the latter half of 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and p ...

. Between 1 and 9 December 2014, this park was used for performing theater and a spectacular technique to commemorate the King "The Phra Mahathat 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. It includes a central boating lake, an outdoor exercise area, a cycling track and a path that is used by walkers and joggers; bicycles and boats can be hired in the park.

Expansion to Benjakitti Forest Park

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. The expansion is planned to fully open in 2022. The park is bridged to another public park,

Lumphini Park Lumphini Park ( th, สวนลุมพินี, , ), also Lumpini or Lumpinee, is a 360 rai () park in Bangkok, Thailand. The park offers rare open public space, trees, and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake w ...

by a 1.3 km long elevated pedestrian walkway and bicycle trail at the southwest corner of the park. File:Benjakitti Forest Park (I).jpg, Wetland area and walkway in Forest Park File:Benjakitti Forest Park (II).jpg, Walkways in Benjakitti Forest Park

References

Parks in Bangkok 2004 establishments in Thailand Khlong Toei district {{Thailand-geo-stub