Green and calm in Bangkok
Lush parks
The easiest way to get some fresh air and take in green scenery is to visit one of the pretty parks in Bangkok. The largest of them is the Suan Luang Rama IX public park in Bangkok's Prawet District. It covers an area of 80 hectares and has six different sections with distinctive styles and lots of landscaped features such as ponds.
For plant lovers there is lots to see since the park also has botanical gardens and greenhouses. The park was built to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's sixtieth birthday and there is even a pavilion with nine mirrored rooms housing exhibits related to the king.
If you are looking to do something more active, Benjakitti Park opposite Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre could be your choice. The park surrounds Lake Ratchada and it is designed to meet the needs of cyclists and joggers. An early morning run is a good way to start the day. Even the kids will love this park, since there are skate ramps and playgrounds to keep them entertained. A central pavilion has a courtyard ideal for picnics.
Another great space for outdoor activities is the popular Lumpini Park. Bangkok residents come here for aerobics, basketball and running, but the park is just as great for strolling along the artificial lake or bird watching. You could even rent a swan-shaped paddle boat or eat in a floating restaurant.
Flora and fauna
Despite the big city vibes, you can still get a feel for the local flora and fauna in Bangkok. The Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is a vast and versatile site where you can see butterflies (they might even land on you) and insects. The butterflies flutter around under a huge open-air dome filled with wildflowers. There is also an exhibition area that will give you in-depth information.
A good spot for bird watching is Suan Rot Fai (Railway Park), which is a former golf course. The site is now a park and the home of about forty species of birds. The area is also visited by passage migrants a couple of times a year; you might be able to spot a rare bird here. Suan Rot Fai also has a butterfly house, so you could split your day between bird and butterfly watching.
A sacred flower in Hinduism and Buddhism, the red lotus, is most certainly the one to spot when visiting Thailand. A slightly different way to see these flowers bloom is to take a day trip to the Red Lotus Floating Market, in the Nakhon Pathom province, about 60 km outside Bangkok.
The site offers boat tours onto a lake completely covered in lotus flowers. What most people want out of the boat trip is some fantastic drone photos taken of you in a boat surrounded by pink blooms. But even just enjoying the scenery is great. The site also has a cozy cafe serving lotus-themed food.
Scenic eats
Bangkok has several great spots where you can combine your love for scenery and delicious food and drink. The obvious way to escape the heat and noise is to head up - all the way to the rooftops.
Popular rooftop spots include Vertigo, on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel, where you can take in a full 360-degree view of the city - and eat fresh seafood. SEEN Restaurant & Bar Bangkok, on the 26th floor of the Avani+ Riverside hotel, looks out over the Chao Phraya River.
If you prefer to stay closer to the ground you could try Baker x Florist, a greenhouse style bakery and cafe with bohemian vibes and freshly baked cakes. For real Zen mode, visit Patom Organic Living, a lovely space surrounded by gardens. There is an excellent cafe that uses fresh local produce as well as a shop selling organic products.