Benjakitti Park welcomes a delegation from Lao PDR, led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) granting access for the occasion.
Benjakitti Park: A Green Oasis Boosting Urban Resilience in Bangkok
In the heart of Thailand's bustling capital, Benjakitti Park stands as a testament to the power of nature-based solutions in combating climate change and enhancing urban living. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, has highlighted the importance of expanding green spaces within the city, with Benjakitti Park being a key example.
On June 24, 2025, a significant event took place at Benjakitti Park in the Khlong Toei district. Sunthorn Sunthornchart, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), welcomed a delegation from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The visit was part of the Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds (RUCaS) program, a collaboration aimed at enhancing cities' ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change risks and disasters.
Once a state-owned industrial facility, Benjakitti Park has been transformed into a large public park featuring an ecosystem of wetlands, a simulated forest, cycling paths, and pedestrian walkways. The park's strategic importance lies in its role as a clear example of urban development using nature-based solutions.
Benjakitti Park plays a crucial role in promoting urban resilience and green space design in Bangkok. By employing a "sponge city" approach, the park functions as a wetland system designed to absorb and manage stormwater effectively, reducing flood risks while replenishing underground water reservoirs. During Bangkok's heaviest rains, the park can capture and clean up to 23 million gallons of stormwater[1].
Key aspects of Benjakitti Park’s role include the Sponge City Model, which uses permeable surfaces, retention ponds, and wetlands planted with aquatic vegetation to naturally filter pollutants from water. This helps mitigate flood hazards by absorbing rainwater and reducing runoff that would otherwise overwhelm city drainage[1].
Beyond flood control, the park provides vital green space with forested walkways, ponds, and biodiversity (including bird habitats), which enhance environmental quality and offer recreational and aesthetic benefits to the urban population[1][3]. The park is also integrated into Bangkok’s broader approach to urban resilience, combining ecological functions with climate adaptation. Its design demonstrates how green infrastructure can address climate-related challenges and natural disasters[2].
In addition to its role as a recreational area, Benjakitti Park serves as green infrastructure, efficiently managing water and mitigating the urban heat island effect. The park's trees and vegetation help cool the city, providing a much-needed respite from the tropical heat.
In conclusion, Benjakitti Park exemplifies the use of nature-based solutions to increase urban resilience by combining ecological restoration with sustainable urban design. This approach helps Bangkok adapt to climate change effects like flooding and promotes healthier, more liveable urban spaces[1][2][3].
- The transformation of Benjakitti Park from an industrial facility to a large public park showcases the international effort to integrate nature-based solutions into renewable energy and infrastructure projects.
- The Global Green Growth Institute's visit to Benjakitti Park in 2025 highlights the park's significant role in environmental-science research and climate-change mitigation, particularly in the field of urban resilience.
- Beyond institutional collaborations, the sports and recreation opportunities within Benjakitti Park offer the centrally located urban population a tangible benefit of environmental-science advancements and sustainable energy adoption.
- As both a source of renewable energy and a means of environmental preservation, the trees and vegetation within Benjakitti Park play a crucial role in enhancing the park's finance and industry potential while promoting industry-wide efforts towards sustainability.
- Through its integration of green infrastructure, effective flood control measures, and preservation of biodiversity, Benjakitti Park serves as a valuable model for cities worldwide seeking to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and urbanization.