After a series of delays and controversy, the park next to Central World finally opened over the holiday weekend.
In January this year, several metal-sheeted hovels from longtime residents were demolished to finally make way for the long-awaited park 49 months after the park itself was supposed to be finished.
After the government claimed eminent domain over the space in 2017, a struggle with the more than 1,000 residents of the area, some of whom had been in the area for more than 30 years, ensued. Only one remained as of February.
The centrally located park boasts 40 rai (64,000sqm) of green space and has been mostly ready since December 2018 and is located on Ratchadamri Road, featuring a small amphitheatre, an exhibition space, and is connected to Ratchaprasong intersection by an elevated walkway.
The park itself is fashioned in the form of a Thai numeral “9,” as it was built soon after the death of King Rama IX, and was reportedly in response to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s comments that Bangkok lacked green spaces.
The park is open daily from 10am-6pm.
A version of this story originally appeared in BK Magazine.
