A 15-minute taxi ride from BTS Mo Chit will land you at one of Bangkok’s largest green spaces, Kasetsart University. Originally founded in 1943 to promote the study of agriculture and natural resources in Thailand, Kasetsart University has held true to its nature-loving mission by cultivating a dense and lush landscape that’s open to outsiders. The 846-rai campus stretches from Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd. to Ngam Womgwan Rd., and also has a recreational bike lane and a beautiful pond. In the spirit of the university’s founding mission, new students are welcomed with an annual, nonsi tree planting ceremony.

Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd. BTS Mo Chit.

Suan Pa Benjakitti (Benjakitti Forest Park)

The picturesque green space and lake next to Queen Sirikit Convention Center welcomes scores of runners, bikers and picnicers daily. But unknown to many is the second, huge park secreted away in the back. Dubbed Suan Pa Benjakitti (Benjakitti Forest Park), this extension of the original park has been unofficially open since August 2016. Visitors can access the park by walking through the carpark of Benjakitti Park and through Gate 2, where you'll find a metal fence guarding another massive (but empty) car park. Keep walking and you'll find a huge sign marking the entrance of Suan Pa Benjakitti. Much as its name suggests, the 61-rai space is home to clusters of trees organized in blocks to create small forests. Around these blocks, a concrete path provides space for runners and bikers. There is also a space dedicated to representative trees from every city in Thailand, with informative signage about their origin and importance. The vast area, owned by the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, totals 450 rai and had been earmarked to become a public park since the company agreed to move its headquarters to Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya back in 1991. In 1992, 130 rai of the land (though now mostly water) was turned into the current Benjakitti Park. The introduction of the 61-rai Benjakitti Forest Park is the beginning of a three-phase plan to further transform the remaining land. Phase 2 will see the addition of another 170 rai of greenery, and Phase 3 a further 89 rai anicipated to open by 2020.

Ratchadapisek Rd. MRT Queen Sirikit Convention Center