Benjakiti Park or How expats spend their weekend

Every now and then I grab my Marco Polo travel guide and root around for a new spot to see in Bangkok. We are here since 7 months, well, to be honest just one half of us is and the other, which is me, since 3 months. This is not a long time measured against our life time. I have a guess now about where to buy groceries, go to sports, get a good massage and a haircut but there is so much more to explore in crazy, beautiful and amazing Bangkok.

End of April on a random saturday we packed our photograph equipment and took the BTS (Skytrain) to Asok Station for the praised Benjakiti Park. Florian has a brandnew macro lense for his Nikon and he just had to try out. This explains the more ore less detail photos in this post. 

In the German Marco Polo the park is described as an "insider hint" hidden from tourists and I have to agree that we saw almost only locals walking around. Though this place is just a few hundred metres from the buzzing Asok junction it is a oasis in the metropolis desert for the mind. 

Built on the ground of the Tobacco concern it has an artificial lake in its center perfect for joggers, cyclists, skaters and strollers. One time around the lake takes estimated 2 km. The flora of the park is stunning. Colorful blossoms everywhere! A dream for every macro photographer!

See the city through my eyes - literally!

The heat season in Bangkok has started and you can feel it as soon as you step outside the door. It is opressively hot and muggy. Sometimes it is unbearable no matter how much you try to stay in the shadow, slower your movements and drink water. Make up becomes useless except for waterproof mascara probably. You sweat it off after a few minutes.. Rain season is almost here and a heavy rainfall always washs the heat off for some hours but then it comes up again. The humid hotness in Thailand is very different to the European understanding of the word "hot". We always say to our friends and family back in Germany that it is like you took a warm pleasant shower for a few hours in the bathroom and did not open the window afterwards. Yup, this is what it is like these days.

listening to some Thai music

The park welcomed us with a little open air concert for free. People were sitting and laying down on the grass and listened to the Thai music. Very relaxed, calm and peaceful atmosphere. This is rarity in Bangkok. We went in the afternoon and the sun was low thus the light beautiful around us. The lake is surrounded by a wooden promenade one side so we walked near the water and saw a woman crouching on the planks. She feed catfished with toast and bread. And with catfish I mean giant grey creatures eating them all in one piece. In Thailands lakes and rivers contain marine creatures which are triple size like I know them from our waters. Fascinating somehow and also a bit scary.

catfish fighting for food

smaller species has to take bite for bite

Benjakiti is really beautiful with all its flowers, plants, animals and sporty loose people. Let me just warn you about one thing: there is no food around. No food stalls, streetfood or anything for takeaway. Abso-fucking-lutely nothing. We are not used to this situation and became a bit nervous. Normally you do not need to walk 100 metres and you have the agony of choice between all the fresh delicious Thai dishes. Poor us, we had only breakfast and were dying of starvation. Fortunately halfway we found a fancy seafood restaurant overlooking the lake and skyline of Bangkok.

Pretty Bangkok

While we were waiting for what we ordered, guess that the travelista did? Right, looking for the next place to see in our new hometown! Snake farm sounds interesting, doesn`t it? Or what about the Jim Thompson house with a fantastic collection of Asians antique art treasures? So many things to see, so little time.

Look who wants to dine with us.

The Golden Buddha statue in the park is a must for every public place in Bangkok as well as ghost houses around every corner. You think I am joking? Every company, living house, condominium and hotel has at least one little shrine. Thai people leave food and beverages on it to keep the ghosts satisfied and away from this world. 

Golden buddha

play of water in background

The afternoon passed over to the evening, the sun set slowly and gently. The crickets began to chirp and we walked back to the train station. A visit in a park is somehow like a day off or tiny vacation from routine. Luckily there are tons of parks in Bangkok and I am happy to explore them one by one with my love and a Nikon.

macro flower

goanna hanging around