Chatuchak may well be Bangkok's “Park District” with all its open green space. While it may appear to be one big park, the area north of the old weekend market is actually three different parks, each with its own character.
The original Chatuchak Park is one of Bangkok's oldest public parks, although it only opened in 1980. Like the two adjoining parks that came later, the land was donated by the State Railway, and there's a small rail museum near the north end of the park.
In August of 2012, part of what had been a parking lot for the weekend market was being transformed into a new market called “JJ Green”. With a number of food options available, this market seems targeted at those looking for a night bazaar atmosphere. It is open every day until well into the evening.
The farmers market The Thai Agriculture Ministry's demonstration market is, both literally and figuratively, one of the most accessible fresh markets in Bangkok. Literally in that one exit from the Kampangphet subway station is right inside the market. Figuratively speaking, the market is a lot less dark and grotty than most fresh markets, especially since an extensive upgrade was completed in 2009. In addition, since the Aw Taw Gaw market is right across the street from the Chatuchak market, they're used to the occasional tourist wandering through, so you may see some signs in English as well as some stall owners that have rudimentary English skills.
The Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives is named after the late founder of a famous meditation retreat in Southern Thailand, Wat Suan Mokkh. It seems that “Suan Mokkh Bangkok” is the official, unofficial, English name for the place, which otherwise goes by the abbreviation BIA.
The lakeside libray of Suak Mokkh Bangkok The building sits are the far northern end of Suan Wachira Benchathat Park near Chatuchak weekend market. The park is a large portion of what used to be the private golf course for the State Railway employees, that was turned over to the city for a park a few years ago.
Near the southeastern edge of Wachira Benchathat Park (see map) is a large enclosure that houses Bangkok's only butterfly garden that I know of. The big oval-shaped garden hosts dozens of species of butterflies as well as some small birds.
A pair of 'dead leaf' butterflies There are of course plenty of flowers as well as other enticements to get the butterflies to land and feed where you can see them.
The original Chatuchak Park is one of Bangkok's oldest public parks, although it only opened in 1980. Like the two adjoining parks that came later, the land was donated by the State Railway, and there's a small rail museum near the north end of the park.
A sculpture, donated by the Philippines, in a small pond in Chatuchak Park The museum, or “Prestigious Train Shed” as it seems to be properly called, houses several engines and cars of historic importance.
While the landscape of Wachira Benchathat Park to the north still belies its origins as a golf course, the area that has been set aside to honor the Queen has been transformed into a series of formal gardens. It's still very much a work in progress, although much of the landscaping is now complete.
Some of the formal gardens of Queen Sirikit Park Beneath the well-manicured surface there's actually an educational mission this park is trying to achieve.
The large expanse of Suan Wachira Benchathat was once a private golf course for the exclusive use of State Railway employees. In the 1990s the union was convinced (not easily) to turn the land over to the city for a public park. For a while, the entirety was simply one big park known as “Railroad Park” but then it was split in two, with the larger northern portion becoming Wachira Benchathat Park, while the southern portion became Queen Sirikit Park.
