Nong Bon Lake Park: A Peaceful Green Escape in Bangkok

reefaulkner
Jan 27
5 min read

Updated: Jul 20

It genuinely felt like we had stepped outside Bangkok for a few hours.

Nong Bon Lake Park is calm, green and spacious, a place where the traffic, noise and intensity of the city seem to fade into the background almost immediately.

Located in Bangkok’s Prawet district, around a 25-minute drive from central Bangkok, the park is an easy escape when you want fresh air, open space and a slower pace without actually leaving the city.

We hired simple bikes, cycled around the lake and spent the late afternoon taking in a side of Bangkok that felt quiet, local and completely unhurried.

Nong Bon Lake Park at a Glance

Location: Prawet district, eastern Bangkok

Best for: Cycling, walking, jogging, relaxing by the lake and outdoor activities

Entrance fee: Free

Bike hire: 50 THB for two hours from Happy Bike

Recommended visit length: Around two to three hours

Best transport option: Grab, taxi or private car

Nearby attraction: Train Night Market Srinagarindra

For navigation, the easiest destination to enter into Grab is Happy Bike, which is located beside the park’s main entrance.

Why Visit Nong Bon Lake Park?

Nong Bon Lake Park offers something Bangkok does not always make easy to find: room to breathe.

The park is expansive, mostly flat and well suited to simple outdoor activities such as cycling, walking or sitting beside the water. It feels relaxed rather than overly curated, making it ideal when you want a no-pressure outdoor experience rather than another major tourist attraction.

It also feels distinctly local. Most people come here to exercise, spend time outdoors or enjoy the lake rather than rush between sights.

That simplicity is a big part of its appeal.

Where Is Nong Bon Lake Park?

Nong Bon Lake Park is located in the Prawet district on the eastern side of Bangkok.

Although it sits outside the city’s main tourist areas, it is still close enough to work as a half-day Bangkok side quest from Sukhumvit or the city centre.

The park is not especially convenient to reach using public transport, so taking a Grab, taxi or private car is the most practical option.

What Does “Nong Bon” Mean?

The name Nong Bon reflects the natural character of the area.

Nong refers to a swamp, marsh or small lake.
Bon refers to a plant from the taro family, often known as elephant ears.

Together, Nong Bon loosely translates to “Swamp of Elephant Ears” or “Taro Swamp.”

Today, Nong Bon Lake is an artificial lake developed for flood management as part of the Royal Initiative known as the “Monkey Cheek” project.

The surrounding area has been transformed into a large public park and water sports facility where visitors can enjoy activities including cycling, jogging, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.

How to Get to Nong Bon Lake Park

The simplest way to reach Nong Bon Lake Park is by Grab or taxi.

Enter Happy Bike as your destination in the Grab app. It appears under the same name and is located directly beside the park entrance.

After turning off the main road at Chalerm Prakiat 43, it may not immediately feel as though you are heading towards a large public park. Continue for a few hundred metres and the entrance becomes much clearer.

Parking is also available near this entrance for visitors arriving by car.

Bike Hire at Nong Bon Lake Park

Nong Bon Lake Park Happy Bike Cafe and Bike Hire Shop

There is no admission fee to enter Nong Bon Lake Park. The only cost we paid was for bike hire.

Bikes are available from Happy Bike for 50 THB for two hours.

The bikes are very basic and do not have gears, but they are perfectly suitable for the park’s flat paths. You do not need anything technical or high-performance to enjoy the ride.

Attached to the bike shop is Happy Cup Café, which sells hot and cold drinks, pastries, snacks and a small selection of simple meals. There are no other significant food or drink options inside the park, so it is worth stopping here before or after your ride.

Cycling Around Nong Bon Lake Park

The Nong Bon Lake Loop

A paved loop of approximately four kilometres circles the lake, making it ideal for an easy bike ride, walk or jog.

The path is flat, wide and closed to cars, so the experience feels comfortable and relaxed. You can ride at your own pace without needing to navigate Bangkok traffic.

We completed two full laps and still returned our bikes comfortably within the two-hour hire period.

The Path Into the Lake

There is also a straight path leading into a small scenic section built within the lake.

This gives you a different perspective across the water and is a lovely place to slow down, stop for a moment and take in the view.

The landscaping throughout the park feels natural rather than highly manicured. Trees and plants grow freely around the lake, which adds to the sense that you have escaped into a quieter, greener part of Bangkok.

Wildlife and the Atmosphere Around the Lake

The overall atmosphere at Nong Bon Lake Park is peaceful and unhurried.

Mature trees create plenty of shaded places to sit, rest or simply watch the lake. It is the kind of place where time naturally slows down without needing an itinerary.

You may also spot monitor lizards crossing the path and the occasional dog during your visit. Nong Bon Lake Park is one of the few dog-friendly parks in Bangkok, which adds to its relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere.

Nothing about the park feels rushed or overly organised. You can cycle, walk, stop beside the water or simply enjoy being somewhere quiet.

Best Time to Visit Nong Bon Lake Park

We arrived at around 5pm on a Friday, and it turned out to be an ideal time to visit.

The park felt calm without being empty, and the late-afternoon light made cycling around the lake especially enjoyable.

Weekends can be busier, with local visitors spending longer stretches of time walking, exercising and relaxing around the lake.

For a quieter experience, a weekday afternoon is a good choice. Arriving later in the day also means avoiding some of Bangkok’s strongest midday heat.

What to Bring

Based on our experience, it is helpful to bring:

Comfortable clothing suitable for cycling or walking
Water, particularly if you plan to complete several laps
Sun protection for an afternoon visit
A phone for booking your return Grab
A small amount of cash for bike hire, drinks or snacks

Because food and drink choices inside the park are limited, it is worth planning ahead or stopping at Happy Cup Café.

Pair Nong Bon Lake Park With Train Night Market Srinagarindra

After cycling around the lake, we hopped onto the back of a Grab scooter and travelled to Train Night Market Srinagarindra, around 15 minutes away.

The market is known for its antiques, vintage memorabilia, classic vehicles, quirky bars, street food and live music.

It was the perfect follow-up to our quiet afternoon at the lake. We went from cycling in open green space to exploring one of Bangkok’s most atmospheric local night markets.

Together, the two destinations create a great day-to-night Bangkok side quest.

You can read my full guide to Train Night Market Srinagarindra to plan the same route.

Is Nong Bon Lake Park Worth Visiting?

Yes.

Nong Bon Lake Park is an easy and affordable way to step away from Bangkok’s intensity without leaving the city. It is spacious, relaxed and genuinely local, a refreshing contrast to Bangkok’s busier parks, shopping areas and tourist attractions.

This is not somewhere you visit for dramatic landmarks or a packed itinerary. It is somewhere you go to move slowly, breathe deeply and enjoy a quieter side of Bangkok.

For us, cycling around the lake before continuing to Train Night Market Srinagarindra made for one of those simple Bangkok afternoons that became far more memorable than expected.