Only 15 minutes away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport is one of the largest man-made forests in Bangkok
By Morgan Thanarojpradit
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| GROWING accustomed to the concrete jungle we live in today, nothing brings us back in touch with nature more than immersing ourselves in a large span of lush greenery. The Pa Nai Krung – which literally translates to ‘forest in the city’ – is the Petroleum Authority of Thailand’s (PTT) brainchild project that has become a new environmental landmark in Bangkok. Located in the eastern part of Bangkok on Sukhaphiban 2 Road, this 12 rai man-made forest was once a garbage dumping area. Now it’s covered with an array of native greens, ponds, streams, unimposing exhibition buildings, and even a waterfall. Separated into three sections – 75% forest, 10% water, and 15% land – the area is yet to be as dense as it should be, but it’s still early in the planting stage. The land is populated with a diverse range of native trees including lush shrubs, waterfall plants, and evergreen and riparian forests. |  |
Upon entering, guests can choose whether or not to sit through a seven-minute introduction video in Thai. Once the video is over, the far wall of the air-conditioned projector room swings open where guests are guided outside to the entrance of the skywalk leading to the tall viewing tower.
The skywalk hovers just over the canopy of trees below with plenty of photo opportunities every step of the way. Dotted along the skywalk are various information stands offering details of the surrounding plants and trees.
The viewing tower is constructed of sturdy steel and wood. Guests can climb the winding staircase to the top where they can enjoy a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the whole area. The air feels much different here, clear and fresh as it should be.
To get back to the exhibition building simply turn around and walk back along the skywalk, or for a more intimate feel under the canopy, descend to the ground level from the viewing tower and take a beaten track lined with old railroad ties onto the path. Shaded from the sun by the growing trees and flowers below, the path leads right back to the exhibition building.
On top of the exhibition building is a rooftop garden where various kinds of flowers are planted and with wooden seats built in at intervals. The purpose of this rooftop garden is to help blend the building with the forest and insulate it from the heat, but it also makes an ideal spot to sit back and enjoy the view.
The skywalk hovers just over the canopy of trees below with plenty of photo opportunities every step of the way. Dotted along the skywalk are various information stands offering details of the surrounding plants and trees.
The viewing tower is constructed of sturdy steel and wood. Guests can climb the winding staircase to the top where they can enjoy a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the whole area. The air feels much different here, clear and fresh as it should be.
To get back to the exhibition building simply turn around and walk back along the skywalk, or for a more intimate feel under the canopy, descend to the ground level from the viewing tower and take a beaten track lined with old railroad ties onto the path. Shaded from the sun by the growing trees and flowers below, the path leads right back to the exhibition building.
On top of the exhibition building is a rooftop garden where various kinds of flowers are planted and with wooden seats built in at intervals. The purpose of this rooftop garden is to help blend the building with the forest and insulate it from the heat, but it also makes an ideal spot to sit back and enjoy the view.
How to get there
From Udom Suk BTS Station, take a taxi to Pa Nai Krung
Opening time: Tuesday – Sunday from 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
pttreforestation.com
From Udom Suk BTS Station, take a taxi to Pa Nai Krung
Opening time: Tuesday – Sunday from 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
pttreforestation.com
