KM Revisits Puttamonton Park

[klongmaster]

One of my favourite places in Bangkok is Puttamonton Park - or Buddhamonton depending on who's spelling it - which is located in Puttamonton Sai 4.

This is one of the series of roads which run between Phetkasem Road and the Nakon Chaisi Highway numbered in "Sais" or "Lines" from 1 to 9. So if you coming from Bangkok on Phetkasem Rd you'll turn right but if you come on the Nakon Chaisi Highway you'll turn left.

I always like to turn into Puttamonton Sai 3 and then go along Utthayan Avenue which is considered Thailand's most beautiful road. It was opened to the public in 1999.

The avenue is 90m wide and extends for almost 4 km. There are three main traffic lanes on either side and two side roads running parallel on each side. The avenue also has a 5.5 metre wide pedestrian walkway, and a 2 metre wide bicycle lane on both sides, although a more appropriate choice of plants would have made the cycle tracks a little easier to negotiate.

Along the centre of the avenue is a lotus pond. Lighting the road are 979 lamp posts, each one topped with a golden kinaree or Thai phoenix.

Arriving at the park you will be given an entry ticket which is just security for your car. You can't leave the park without returning the ticket. Entry to the park is free for everyone.





The roads meander around over a vast estate and there are very few people around, especially during the week. It's a little confusing because all the road signs are in Thai, but if you take a wrong turn and end up at the exit it's no problem cause you just loop around to the entrance and start again.





There are streams and lakes everywhere, so take your time and explore as much as you can. It's a good idea to drive right around the park first and then find a place to picnic on your second round.





The trees are well established so there's plenty of shade and the waterways a full of aquatic life. You can stop on the busy highway to buy fish food, but it's risky and not necessary as every staff member working in the park will have some bags of fish food on their bikes or motorbikes. Twenty baht a bag seems to be the going rate.





There are designated cycling roads throughout the park which are paved and in reality are wider than most of the roads used by the cars.





You can hire bikes by the hour, and they even have tandems, so it's a good place for exercise.





The park is cultured in the style which Thai people like the most, with lots of sculptured trees and wood-like concrete steps, together with the odd rock here and there.





The lawns are well manicured with plenty of colour. Some of the plants you will recognise and others will have you asking your friends what they are.





There are huge groves of bamboo trees covering both sides of the road in places.





Even the exposed roots of the trees are interesting as they disappear into the surrounding grass.





Some plants are best viewed from a distance, but there are plenty of them for you to enjoy.





Feeding fish is a Buddhist way of making merit and there is no shortage of hungy mouths to feed. Many of the streams have small bridges which allow you good access to the fish.





It's fun waiting for them to open their mouths so you can drop the food right in.





Take you family here. They'll love it. Of course there are plenty of photo ops in this park.

Puttamonton Park is on the outskirts of Bangkok going towards Nakon Pathom and is well worth the visit for those who are looking for some peace and quiet after the chaos of Bangkok.

Other parks around bangkok can be seen here.

[sharon]

That's very lovely park! I've not done stuff like this for emm.... a wee while now, gotta do it again with me boi.

Cheers!

PS - Is the last pic you?

[klongmaster]

mmm...

[The Basket Weaver]

mmm...

nice pics, just missing a nice blue sky

[klongmaster]

^true...Bangkok has been cloudy for a few weeks now...

[The Basket Weaver]

Any pics of the massive Buddha statue by any chance? A puttamonton park thread is incomplete without him !



Like you mentioned one thing I like about this park is how quiet it is on the weekdays,

Massive biting ants lurk in the grass though...... careful.

[jizzybloke]

Thanks KM very nice and great photos

[Mathos]

Nice info pack that KM cheers mate, photographs are good too!

[klongmaster]

Any pics of the massive Buddha statue by any chance? A puttamonton park thread is incomplete without him !

well unfortunately the Buddha is under wraps at the mo - literally. Workmen are nowhere to be seen but the statue is invisible. It's black of course - where's MD? - so I not sure what they are doing, but when they are finished I'll add some pics of the various Buddha images in the park...

[gos]

Thanks KM great pics and info something else to add to my must do list when I retire to LOS next year the list is getting very long thanks to people like you on TD I think I will have to live to a 100

[klongmaster]

I think I will have to live to a 100

may it be so and may you have the finances to match your longevity...

[terry57]

Nice work mate.

Never been there but will go have a look see this December.

Cheers

What is the best way to go .? can i catch a bus or do i need to go by taxi.?

[buad hai]

Really first rate photos. The place looks beautiful. And empty?

[klongmaster]

What is the best way to go .? can i catch a bus or do i need to go by taxi.?

there are probably buses but I don't know about them...anyway taxis are cheap compared to Oz so take one for the day and visit here and there on the way out and on the way back...

[klongmaster]

Really first rate photos. The place looks beautiful. And empty?

yea...weird really...huge space and nobody there...well very few I should say...of course on the weekend it does get busy...

great place to teach your wife to drive though!..

[The Basket Weaver]

Nice work mate.

Never been there but will go have a look see this December.

Cheers

What is the best way to go .? can i catch a bus or do i need to go by taxi.?

If your coming from right of the river, take a bus to central pink lao or to the southern bus terminal, its roughly in that direction - then get a taxi. Problem is getting a taxi on the return but if you go to the front gates (bit of a walk) you can flag one down from the main road.

[EmperorTud]

Is this place not also called Sanam Luang II?

I got lost out there a few weeks ago.

[unkleblacky]

Went by bus today gor 84 will take you there directly to the entrance, no bicycles for rent tho, so we walked around it was nice.

from klong ssna take the bus going in the direction of wong wian yai.