Sanam Luang Park, Bangkok

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If you are book in a big bus tour or a small group tour or a private car tour, chances are that you will be dropped in front of the Sanam Luang Park and then have a short 3 minute hop into the Grand Palace complex beside it. It is a huge park with flat terrain and rolling grass and is in a shape of an oval. Sanam Luang (the Royal Field) has been in existence since the founding of Bangkok (in 1782). The area was also known as 'Thung Pra Meru' (Royal Cremation Ground), because it was originally used for royal cremations up until the reign of King Rama III, when the king decreed that all cremations be held outside the old city walls. The Park is open for everyone and there are no admission fees to go inside.

opens 5:00 am to 8:00 pm everyday

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Sanam Luang Park

Sanam Luang Park opposite Wat Phra Khaew, Wat Mahathat and National Museum. Many times u find and big markets here.

Information
Name: Sanam Luang
Theme: Park, walking and relax
Location: Ratanakosin island
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Parks in Bangkok
Last Visit: September 2007

My Photos
First Photo: Sanam Luang Park with Wat Phra Khaew
Second Photo: Sanam Luang Park
Third Photo: Sanam Luang Park

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The Sanam Luang is a large open field and public square of about 30 acres to the north of the Grand Palace. It has been used since the time of King Rama I as the place for royal ceremonies and functions including the cremation of the Prince of the Palace to the Front, who was Rama I's brother. King Rama II followed this example of performing royal ceremonies here. King Rama IV set up a place for performing the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the Ceremony of Calling the Rain which take place on the 11th March. The last cremation that took place here was for King Rama IX's sister, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra in November 2008, which is when I visited.

North of Grand Palace. It's a large open air space used originally for cremation of kings, queens and princes. Today here there are fortune tellers above a tamarind tree. In southeast corner of There is Lak Muang, housing the City Pillar. The visit is free of charge (only donation). Here there are thai dancers hired by supplicants to pray for their wishes. Everyone may assist free of charge.
Late Februart - mid April, during Kite Festival, here is held kite fightings, late afternoon.
During May, here takes place Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The date is set by Royal Astrologers and signs the day when farmers can begin to prepare ricelands. During the cerimony, bulls decorated with flowers pull a red and gold plough.

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Thong Sanam Luang shortened to Sanam Luang also known as Thung Phra Mane (The Royal Cremation Ground) is surrounded by a lot of other attraction like the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew. Along the pathway you can see lots of Tamarind Trees & a nice view of Wat Phra Kaew during sun set. Take a stroll here & you can ‘kill two birds with one stone’

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The largest open space in Bangkok by far, and found immediately north of the Grand Palace. It is the traditional site for royal cremations as well as festivities presided over by the king. It is the former site of what is now Chatuchack Market - now it is mainly an open recreational space, with locals and tourists to be found picnicking on the outer edges in the welcome shade provided by the trees lining the perimeter. In the centre of this vast space, locals try out their skills controlling the multi-coloured kites that can be bought from the stalls in the park.

It's really a nice place to walk around Sanam Luang Park. But please beware when you're approaching the pigeons teritory. It's not the pigeon you need to be avoid, but the group who sell the seed corn. Don't close to them or else they will force you to buy the seed to feed the pigeons. Again, it's not wrong to feed the pigeons, but the prices just too high for 3 small packets seed corn. Even when you said no to them, they will still pour the seed on your hand and ask you to feed the pigeons.

This incident happen when I was walking from Khao San Road heading to Wat Pho with my friend, therefore will pass by Sanam Luang Park. Enjoying the scenery, all of sudden, one women came to my friend and gave her 3 packets seed corn. Since she spoke in Thai, we couldn't understand at all what she meant. She's then, pointed to the pigeons, keep repeating "Good Luck. Good Luck" and even demonstrated to us by pouring the seed on the ground. I understand they're after our money. We rejected them but before we could go away, they opened the packets & pour onto our hands. I had it thought, it's doesn't matter if 40 bath for the 3 packets (we didn't ask the price yet). So, I pour the 3 packets seed to pigeons. When I were about to pay the seed, at the beginning they wanted 50 bath. I took out my wallet, and after they saw my 100 bath note, they're demanding more - 150 bath in the end. Please ignore them even they're trying to call you.

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After finish your visit to the Grand Palace and The royal temple Wat Phra Kaeo, you may take a walk to the wide area in front, its a royal ground Sanam Luang. It is a major royal ground, a place where the King performs state ceremonies, a place of central importance for the Thai people and when there 's no ceremonies its a wide area where you can see some activities such as people come in the afternoon flying kite or just sit on mat and relaxing. You can visit many attractions all around the area such as the national museum. Sanam Luang is also in walking distance to Khao San Rd. and The Chao Phraya River.

Sanam Luang or Thung Phra Sumehru may look the least interesting of all the parks since it appears to have nothing except grass but in fact, it has an interesting history and has been a place of central importance for the Thai people for centuries.
Sanam Luang, is in Thai "public ground", and it is the place where the King performs state ceremonies.
In the past, it was an open field located between the Grand Palace and the National Museum.
It has been used as a site for royal cremations since the reign of King Rama I and for the reason, it used to be known as Thung Phra Meru ( cremation ground ). During the reign of Rama II, when Thailand was engaged in conflict with Vietnam, the King wished to demonstrate to other nations that Thailand was such a fertile country that even the area in front of the Grand Palace was cultivated and used for rice growing. During the reign of Rama IV, when the ground was still used for farming, he changed its official name to "Thung Sanam Luang".
Every since then it has been used as the cremation ground for all of Thailand’s kings except Rama VII who died in England.
The most recent funeral rite to be held there was for HRH the Princess Mother in March 1996.
Each May, the HM the King perform the Royal Ploughing Ceremony to herald the rice planting season and in the windy months of February to April, it is a popular venue for kite flying and kite fighting.
On the edge of the park opposite the Grand Palace complex is Lak Muang or the City Shrine which denoted the spot where King Rama I placed the foundation stone of Bangkok in 1782.
Each year between March and April there are a lot of festivals like Kite Playing, Songkran etc.
Sanam Luang was a weekend market before it moved to Jatu Jak.

"Sanam Luang" is the large field and center of bangkok and there has been used for various publice activities
For most of the year it's nothing special and barely worth a visit and if you visit in the special occasion.
It's a somewhat more colorful place during February to April when it's a popular place for kite flying.
And you know Tamarind trees around the field have been standing for about 100 years