Lumphini Park was laid out in the 1920s as part of King Rama VI’s royal property and became Bangkok’s first public park when it opened in 1925, taking its name from Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
The park centers on a lake where visitors can rent swan-shaped paddle boats, and its grounds include an outdoor gym, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a football field, with free Tai Chi, yoga, and aerobics classes held most mornings.
Bangkok’s first public library sits within the park grounds, and the resident monitor lizards — generally harmless scavengers rather than a hazard — are one of its best-known sights. Entry is free, with the park open daily from early morning into the evening.