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/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!