Bangkok is a fascinating city. It’s also famous for being dense, chaotic and hot — not the best conditions for running! You can’t just walk out the door and go for a run. In fact, running on the sidewalks is generally discouraged, since they’re crowded, bumpy, and filled with street vendors. But don’t despair – there are some good spots! The best places to go running in Bangkok are in a series of parks and green spaces. The most popular are Lumpini Park, Benjakitti Park, and Suan Luang Rama IX Park. A unique spot is Bang Kachao — an artificial island in the Chao Phraya River, which features a series of paths and roads that are great for running.
Runners should note that Bangkok is one of the hottest major cities in the world. The heat and humidity are stifling, and it never cools down, even at night. Between the heat and the traffic, we recommend going early.
Bangkok is infamous for its traffic, but public transportation has been improving — there’s the Skytrain and the MRT subway system. Nearly all of our running routes in Bangkok are accessible by public transport.