Santiphap Park — A Green Lung in the Heart of the City, Next to Victory Monument
A small park tucked away with quiet greenery, hidden right in the middle of the capital's hustle and bustle.
What Is Santiphap Park?
If you're talking about the most accessible green spaces in Bangkok, Santiphap Park (Peace Park) definitely belongs on the list. Located between Ratchawithi Road and Rang Nam Road in Phaya Thai Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District, right next to Victory Monument, it sits truly at the heart of the metropolis.
While it's nowhere near as large as Chatuchak Park or Lumpini Park, the atmosphere inside is shady, peaceful, and filled with trees of every size providing shade along every path — perfect for anyone who wants to escape the city's chaos without having to travel far.
History
Santiphap Park has an interesting backstory. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) leased this land from the Crown Property Bureau after the National Housing Authority, which had previously used it as residential housing, let its lease expire. Given its prime location in the heart of the city's business district, the BMA decided to turn the land into a public park, signing a 30-year lease beginning in October 1990.
Construction began in 1997, and Santiphap Park officially opened on August 16, 1998. The opening date wasn't chosen at random — it was deliberately set to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War II on August 16, 1945, symbolizing the dawn of peace for all humanity.
The name "Santiphap Park" (Peace Park), which appears on the sign at the park's entrance, was reproduced from the handwriting of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. The park's signature landmark is a sculpture of a dove carrying five olive branches, standing in the middle of a pond as a symbol of world peace, adapted from the famous work by the Spanish artist Picasso.
What to See and Do in the Park
Santiphap Park is landscaped in the style of a natural woodland garden, planted mainly with tall trees that provide excellent shade throughout the day. At the center of the park are three ponds, ringed by walking and jogging paths that stretch about 700 meters per loop. The park also offers plenty of facilities, including outdoor exercise equipment, pull-up bars, foot-massage paths, a children's playground, an aerobics deck, a plant-learning center, an edible vegetable garden, and a free book-lending corner. In the evening after 6:00 PM, groups often gather here for aerobics, tai chi, or yoga, giving the park a lively energy of its own.
Hours and Contact Information
Open: Daily, 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Address: Ratchawithi Road, Thanon Phaya Thai Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400. Phone: Bangkok Public Parks Office, 02-354-1272. Website: greener.bangkok.go.th
Getting There:
- BTS: Get off at Victory Monument Station, Exit 3, then walk about 350 meters
- Bus: Routes 12, 14, 17, 24, 36, 38, 61, 63, 69, 74, 77, and 92 all pass along Ratchawithi Road
- Car: Parking is available in the surrounding area
Other Nearby Parks
If you're after even more greenery in the area, there are several other walkable parks nearby that are easy to reach.
Suan Rom Ratchathewi is also located in Ratchathewi District — a small, tranquil park that's perfect for an afternoon rest.
Victory Monument and the surrounding area, while primarily a traffic roundabout, still offers a fair amount of greenery around it and is a popular meeting spot for locals in the neighborhood.
Suan Phra Nang is a short distance away, offering a quiet, clean atmosphere along with a nearby library for those who want to combine a stroll with some reading.
Where to Stay Near Santiphap Park — For Travelers
If you're looking for a hotel near Victory Monument to use as your base for exploring this area, we recommend The Victory Hotel Bangkok — one of the most conveniently located hotels around, right in the heart of the Victory Monument neighborhood. Easy to reach by both BTS and bus, it lets you head out for a morning or evening stroll through Santiphap Park with no hassle at all.
The Victory Hotel suits business travelers and tourists alike, with clean rooms, full amenities, and great value for money. It's close to shopping, restaurants, and the well-known Rang Nam neighborhood, making every trip around the city that much easier.
See details and book your room at: www.the-victory.com
Tips Before You Visit
Visit the park early in the morning or after 4:00 PM for cooler, more pleasant weather compared to the heat of midday. Be sure to bring water and mosquito repellent, especially if you're visiting in the evening. Pets are allowed in the park, but large sports equipment such as basketballs or footballs is not permitted. There's no admission fee — the park is free to enter, every day.
Santiphap Park may not be grand or sprawling, but on the days when the city feels like too much, simply standing beneath the shade of a big tree, listening to birdsong and the breeze passing through — that's more than enough.
