The Complete Guide to Visiting Wachirabenchathat Park and the Bangkok Butterfly Garden

Wachirabenchathat Park and the Butterfly Garden & Insectarium make a perfect half-day escape from Bangkok’s hustle & bustle; we share how.

These green spaces in the north of the city offer a mix of nature, recreation, wildlife, and chill-out zones — all tucked under wide Bangkok skies and shady trees. If you love fresh air, colourful wildlife, and easy exploration without the temple crowds, this combo is one of the best low-key city outings around.

Visiting Wachirabenchathat Park

Why Visit Wachirabenchathat Park and the Butterfly Garden

There’s a lot to love here; it is easily one of the best parks in Bangkok. Between shaded trails, wide open fields, water birds, bike paths, themed gardens and native plants, Wachirabenchathat Park is one of Bangkok’s most pleasant urban parks. It’s where students jog, families picnic, cyclists loop lap after lap, and photographers find quiet corners for nature shots.

Deep inside the park is the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium, a leafy, semi-tropical butterfly pavilion that’s especially worth visiting if you like wildlife, macro photography, or gentle, close-up encounters with insects and colourful butterflies in motion.

This isn’t a flashy attraction — it’s low-key, educational, and perfect for a relaxed outing with friends, kids, or solo explorations of flora and fauna and one of the best free things to do in Bangkok.

When to Go to Wachirabenchathat Park

Morning (around 8:30 to 11:00) is by far the best time for both the park and the butterfly garden:

• The temperatures are more pleasant before midday heat builds up.
• Butterflies are most active in the morning light.
• Park paths and bike routes are quieter before peak local usage.

Late afternoon (around 16:00 to sunset) is also great if you only have part of a day — warm golden light for photos, softer shadows, and a calmer feel as the sun descends.

Weekdays tend to be quieter. Weekends bring local families, joggers, and picnickers, especially late morning to early afternoon.

Opening Hours & Costs

• Wachirabenchathat Park is a free public park and generally open from early morning until late evening.
• Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium is also free and usually open from around 08:30 to 16:30 Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays in many cases).

Because both spaces are public and managed by the city, they are very budget friendly — ideal for travellers who like free or low-cost attractions without crowds.

Where They Are

Wachirabenchathat Park sits in Chatuchak district in north Bangkok, next to Chatuchak Park and Queen Sirikit Park. The butterfly garden is inside or adjacent to the park’s green space.

The area is often referred to locally as Rot Fai Park — “Rot Fai” literally meaning railway — because of the site’s old association with the railway lands and open fields before it became parkland.

How to Get There

There are several easy ways to reach this part of Bangkok using public transport or ride-hare apps:

• BTS Skytrain + Walk

The easiest way is to take the BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit Station. From there:

1. Head toward the park entrance near Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road.
2. Walk through the green zones of Chatuchak Park, then lower paths leading into Wachirabenchathat Park.

This is a pleasant approach on foot, with plenty of shade and scenic green zones.

• MRT Subway + Walk

Take the subway to Chatuchak Park Station (Blue Line). From there:

1. Exit toward the park area.
2. Follow signs or simply walk toward the green space — the park and butterfly garden are within walking distance.

The subway is especially useful during rainy or hot periods, as you can limit your exposure to heat or sudden showers.

• Bus

There are several local buses that run along Phahonyothin Road and Kamphaeng Phet roads, stopping near the park entrances. If you’re comfortable with Bangkok’s public bus network, this can be budget-friendly.

• Taxi or Grab

Bangkok’s ride-hailing services or taxis will take you right to the park entrance or closest drop-off point for the butterfly garden; knowing how to use the grab app will help you visit this park with ease.

Exploring Wachirabenchathat Park

Once you’re inside the park, there’s so much to do that you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering, cycling, relaxing, or just finding a shady spot to unwind.

• Wide Open Lawns and Lakeside Paths

The park has open lawns perfect for picnics, sunbathing (with shade!), reading on a blanket, or people-watching. You’ll also find calm ponds and lakeside paths that are great for a slow stroll with birds, turtles, and dragonflies darting in and out of reeds and lily pads.

If you’re into photography, these water edges are great quiet spots to watch light play across reflections.

• Walking and Jogging Trails

There are hundreds of paved paths winding through the park. Locals come here to walk their dogs, stretch their legs, or jog laps at their own pace. Some paths are shaded by towering trees, others pass by themed garden spaces.

• Cycling

Bikes are a highlight here. You’ll find cyclists ranging from casual weekend riders to locals using the park loop as part of their daily fitness routine. There are bike rentals near the park entrance, and the long paved loops make it easy to explore more of the park without tiring your feet.

Cycling also lets you cover more ground to see flower beds, small hills, water features, and hidden nooks.

Themed Gardens

Scattered around the park are smaller, curated garden plots:

• Medicinal plants garden where you can see traditional Thai herbs growing.
• Cactus and succulent displays that contrast with the usual tropical greenery.
• Flower and fragrance gardens that come alive with colour and scent at different seasons.

These garden areas are clearly labeled and perfect for a slow wander.

• Play Areas and Sports Zones

If you’re visiting with kids, there are play zones with slides, climbing frames, and open areas to run around. Fitness enthusiasts will spot outdoor gym equipment and casual sports zones.

There’s even a mini-town training zone where families come with kids’ bikes to practice road rules in a scaled-down street environment — a nice blend of play and learning.

• Birdwatching and Nature Spotting

Wachirabenchathat’s mature trees and water features attract a surprising number of birds and insects. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens and you might spot waterfowl, wagtails, herons, and lots of smaller passerines flitting around the branches. Insects like butterflies and dragonflies are active on sunny days near flowering trees.

Visiting the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium

Inside the park is the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium, a leafy, sheltered complex that’s a lovely complement to the wide open spaces outside.

What It Feels Like

Walking inside the butterfly garden is like entering a leafy tropical greenhouse. There are flowering plants everywhere, shaded paths winding under canopy leaves, and butterflies flitting about in unpredictable loops — sometimes landing close to you, sometimes moving quickly across open patches.

We visited in January (2026), early in the morning; so we enjoyed a delightful 23C temperature. The air here felt fresher and cooler — a great mini-escape from Bangkok’s heat.

Butterflies in Motion

The butterflies inside are active, particularly in the morning light. Photographers love this place because you can:

• See dozens of species flying casually around nectar flowers.
• Get shots of butterflies perched on petals or leaves.
• Watch them sip nectar, flutter in circles, and hover near shaded corners.

Patience helps. Sit or stand still near a cluster of flowers — butterflies are more likely to come close if you don’t move too much.

Educational Displays

Around the enclosure are educational panels explaining:

• The butterfly life cycle — from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and winged adult.
• The role of butterflies in pollination and ecosystems.
• Sections with preserved examples of cocoons and pupae for close-up observation.

If you’re visiting with curious kids, students, or nature lovers, these displays add context and depth.

Insects Beyond Butterflies

The insectarium part of the space showcases beetles, stick insects, and a variety of other invertebrates. It’s a good reminder that there’s more to local wildlife than just butterflies.

How Long to Spend at Wachirabenchathat Park 

Most visitors spend about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours here if they’re taking photos, reading displays, and watching wildlife move around.

Best Times and Tips for Photography

If your goal is great photos:

• Morning is best — soft natural light and active butterflies.
• Avoid flash — it can startle insects and flatten colours.
• Use macro or close-focus lenses if you have them to capture fine wing details.
• Stand or sit near clusters of brightly coloured flowers — butterflies are drawn here.

Outside in the park, late afternoon offers gorgeous golden light on water, grasses, and tree canopies.

Food, Drinks & Nearby Eateries

Inside the park itself there are usually small vendors selling drinks and snacks, but these can be limited.

For better options, head toward:

• Chatuchak Weekend Market (especially on Saturdays and Sundays) for endless street food, fresh fruit, fruit shakes, Thai noodles, grilled skewers, and desserts.
• Cafés along the park edges where you can sit down for coffee, pastries, or local Thai food.

Bringing your own picnic (water, fruit, snacks) is also a good idea, especially if you plan to spend most of the day here.

Practical Tips From Locals and Frequent Visitors

• Bring sunscreen and a hat for outdoor walking — Bangkok sun can be strong.
• Pack water especially if you’ll walk or cycle around the park.
• If you’re photographing butterflies, avoid heavy sprays of insect repellent near your camera or clothes — it can deter insects.
• Weekday mornings are quieter if you want fewer people in your photos.
• The park is free and welcoming, so don’t feel rushed — take your time.

Bangkok Parks FAQ

Wachirabenchathat Park and the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium are two sides of the same refreshing green experience. One is wide, open, energetic, and perfect for movement and exploration; the other is calm, intimate, and perfect for watching nature at close range.

For travellers who want to get outside the usual temple and mall circuits of Bangkok, this combo offers fresh air, calm vibes, friendly locals, and plenty of nature without leaving the city behind. Whether you’re into photography, birdwatching, butterfly chasing, cycling, or just a peaceful morning under trees, this place deserves a spot in your Bangkok travel plans.