Sanam Luang’s lawn and parking areas badly damaged
If you will be traveling to Thailand in the next few months, or are currently in the country and planning on visiting Bangkok’s Sanam Luang, be aware the site is being closed down for repairs starting August 25th and running through November 15th.
The Phra Nakhon District Office announced the closure after they concluded damage to the lawn and parking areas, due to constant use, has become significant.
With end of year festivities on their way for the King’s Birthday, Father’s Day and New Year, the office has decided now is the best time to refurbish the area before those festivities kick off. Makes sense, right?
As often happens, Thailand’s Department of Public Works will be overseeing the repairs, which are necessary not only for aesthetics but also for safety issues.
What is Sanam Luang?
For those who are new to Bangkok, Sanam Luang is the area directly opposite the Grand Palace (a complex that will remain open, by the way, throughout the repairs).
It is one of the most popular places in Bangkok both for tourists and locals, who use it for relaxation, family picnics, kite flying and exercise.
Sanam Luang is also used for official public gatherings and ceremonies, with the annual Ploughing Ceremony, 1982’s Bi-Centennial Celebration of Bangkok, the 1996 cremation of Princess Mother Srinagarindra, and the 2017 cremation of the much-loved King Bhumibol Adulyadej (which saw enormous crowds) just some of the many ceremonies held there.
Once the repairs are complete, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plan on looking at the site to assess how it may be used in the future.
They have also announced they will consider government agencies, the private sector, and the general public as that assessment is made, so that each group has the appropriate access to the site.
Meanwhile, as the Sanam Luang repairs are ongoing, some parts of the area may still be available for specific events. You will find events often advertised online, and in Thai newspapers like the Bangkok Post and The Nation.
