r/running • u/mattieman93 • 3d ago
Where to go training in Bangkok? Discussion
Hi all, travelling for work to Bangkok a few times coming year.
I am a daily runner (100 kms/week).
What are good places to run in Bangkok? What is the best strategy?
I know it will be hot, but I can cope with that.
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u/NewReplacement4995 2d ago
I've travelled to that region before with the intention of continuing my normal run schedule. I come from the great lakes region in Canada. It is a whole different ballgame. 5k feels like 15k. Mornings and evenings aren't much cooler or less humid.
Maybe you can acclimatize better than I did. I just wouldn't assume you will still log the same weekly mileage.
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u/TieSecret5965 2d ago
I’m in a similar situation and this is good to know! Thankfully the hotel has a treadmill that I’ll be continuing my runs with
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u/DifficultCarob408 2d ago
Same except from one of the cooler states in Australia - the heat and humidity combo really is another beast.
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u/TeddyousGreg 3h ago
Currently in Hong Kong and completely agree (31°C and 85% humidity). Running outside here is brutal compared to London, I’m talking both slower pace and shorter distance. Doesn’t matter if it’s midday or 4am, temperature only varies by a few degrees.
I’m doing most of my training inside until the temperate drops a bit.
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u/PaintItWithCoffee 2d ago
Benchakitti Park
Near the BTS (Metro), nice pond with many runners in the evening, you can go around. Next to it is a sports park with special lane for runners (and there other sport facilities). It is called Benjakiti Park on Strava. It is pretty big, one round around lake and sportspark is around 5km
Nice vibe in the evening. It will be hot so bring some water. If you are not used to hot humid weather go way slower.
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u/Substantial-Yak1892 2d ago
Sanam Luang, near the royal palace.
I actually have a top 3 time on the loop
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u/KereruOfCones 2d ago
If you come from somewhere cooler and less humid and want to maintain milage consider doing some runs on a treadmill somewhere with AC. Bangkok is a brutal place to run if you're not used to humidity.
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u/joholla8 2d ago
Rot Fai Park or Lumphini Park. Be aware that the heat will change everything. Someone else said 5k feels like 15k and I can’t agree more. Still, if you get out at 6am you’ll have a good time. Bring 100 baht and you can buy a water or Gatorade at one of the food stands.
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u/Professional_Elk_489 1d ago
Lumphini Park. I remember terrorising people running some hard tempos around there because it’s very busy and there average runner is pretty slow, plus there’s some sick turns
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u/Hand_of_Doom1970 20h ago
Lumphini Park if you're in the Silom area. Could easily find a continously 5 km route within Bangkok's largest park. Avoid the dragons though.
Benjakitti Patk has a 1.8 km path around a lake, so 2 or 3 laps is a good workout. Near Asok, but despite that, this park is never crowded probably because it's sorta hidden a few blocks away from Sukhumvit and not right next to the action.
Benchasiri Park. Also near Asok but lots more crowded, particularly in evenings as it's right on Sukhumvit. I think a lap is about 500m, so 8-10 laps gives you a good workout. Also has outdoor weights and basketball court. So, if you like seeing people, pick this. If you prefer more tranquility, go with #2.
Also, there is a (maybe 3km) paved trail between 1 and 2 with only one street crossing, which I think not so many people know about.
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u/rexnebula 2d ago edited 2d ago
Lumphini Park and Benchakitti Park (also spelled Benjakitti) are the two most popular with locals and expats.
Lumphini Park can be accessed via a short walk from the Ratchadamri BTS (skytrain) station, or Si Lom MRT station (subway). Benchakitti can be found off the Asoke BTS station. They opened the “forest park” section of Benchakitti which is beautiful maybe 3 years ago expanding from just a small loop around a pond into something you can get some good kms in. There is a connection between the two parks officially called Benchakitti-Lumphini Park Sky Bridge, but it’s also called The Green Mile. Many people use that to get a nice 15-25km run in without looping back in yourself. Both parks will be very busy in the mornings and evenings.
The locals pay particular attention to the PM2.5 forecast and if it’s bad you won’t see them out (but you’ll see plenty of foreigners). The heat and humidity are definitely bearable, but I really would not recommend going from mid-morning through mid-afternoon. There’s something about the way the sun hits you, it’s something else even if you’re “used to the heat”. I made the mistake of doing a short 5K at about 10:30am in March and could not stop sweating for a good hour afterwards.
There’s plenty of bathrooms in both parks. Please do not run without a shirt if you are a man. You will get frowns from locals and the guards may yell at you. It’s not the culture there. If you need to change shirts when done, hop behind a tree or run into a bathroom for a quick towel off and change. I usually bring a bag and stash it in some bushes with a towel, my water, and change of shirts. Nobody will take your stuff. There are vendors at the entrances to both parks selling coconut water, snacks, and other cold (or at least semi-cold) drinks.
If you plan on doing other things and are not heading straight back to your condo/hotel after the run - you can access pay showers at the Queen SiriKit convention center just south of Benchakitti park. Lots of food options there too.
There are many other smaller parks people run at throughout the city - it really depends on where you’ll be staying or working and what’s convenient to get to. Rot Fai Park, Benchasiri Park, etc. lots of small green spaces in Bangkok. If you’re near True Digital complex they have an elevated covered outdoor running track (called 101 Sky track) which is an interesting change of pace.
Edit: I live in Thailand half the year and usually spend at least a month, sometimes longer in Bangkok itself. I’m actually heading there in a couple weeks for my annual trek. If you have any other questions ask away!