Suan San Pocket Park by Shma Company Limited — Transforming Wasteland into a Green Urban Haven

A Green Vision for Bangkok’s Future

Bangkok has long struggled with a critical shortage of public green spaces. With only 7.49 square meters of green space per person, the city falls short of the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 9 square meters. To address this, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched the ambitious goal of increasing this to 10 square meters per person by 2030.

One of the most innovative steps toward achieving this target is the “15-Minute Park” initiative—a network of small, accessible green pockets designed to be within a 15-minute walk of every resident. Among these, Suan San Pocket Park stands out as a shining example of urban renewal through community-driven landscape design.

 From Abandoned Warehouse to Community Oasis

Located in the historic Klong San–Tha Din Daeng neighborhood, Suan San Pocket Park occupies a 3,894-square-meter site once used as a rice and corn warehouse. After years of neglect, the area became a garbage dump—unsafe, unsightly, and prone to fires due to its narrow access roads.

Recognizing the site’s potential, a private entity donated the land for public use for 10 years, allowing the BMA and Shma Company Limited to transform it into a thriving pocket park. The project symbolizes how collaborative urban design can revive decaying land into sustainable, inclusive, and community-centered green infrastructure.

 “Suan San” — The Concept of Connection

The word “San” (สาน) in Thai means to weave or to connect, and it perfectly encapsulates the park’s philosophy. The design embodies three core principles—Weaving Relationships, Weaving Past and Present, and Weaving Lives.

1. Weaving Relationships 

Suan San reconnects the neighborhood through multiple entry points and open visibility, ensuring safety and accessibility. The old boundary walls have been redesigned as seating elements—inviting and multifunctional. The park encourages both planned and spontaneous interactions, fostering a strong sense of community ownership.

2. Weaving Past and Present 

Preserving the neighborhood’s 200-year-old heritage was a key goal. Existing trees were carefully maintained, the heritage building retained, and the site’s industrial legacy subtly integrated into the landscape design. Suan San serves not just as a park but as a living history classroom, celebrating Klong San’s rich cultural identity.

3. Weaving Lives 

The park is divided into three functional zones to enhance physical, mental, and social well-being:

• Active Zone: Open lawns and fitness areas for movement and play.
• Eco-Learning Zone: Spaces for environmental education and mindfulness.
• Co-Creation Zone: Flexible pavilions for art, community workshops, and cultural events.

These areas evolve through continuous feedback from local residents, ensuring that the community remains the co-designer of the space.

 Sustainability and Safety by Design

Suan San’s success lies in its participatory process. From early workshops to public hearings, residents directly contributed to the design, leading to features that reflect their daily needs—ample lighting, open sightlines, and low-maintenance greenery.

The park also acts as a model for adaptive management, ensuring long-term care through community involvement rather than relying solely on municipal maintenance.

 A Green Connector in the City’s Urban Fabric

Beyond being a neighborhood park, Suan San plays a pivotal role as a Park Connector, linking Bangkok’s growing green network. It connects to major nearby destinations like the Chao Phraya Sky Park, Princess Mother Memorial Park, and Kuan Yim Shrine. Smaller green nodes such as schoolyards, temple gardens, and tree-lined streets further extend its reach, creating a cohesive urban ecosystem.

From a neglected warehouse site to a vibrant urban sanctuary, Suan San Pocket Park redefines what small-scale urban green spaces can achieve. It serves as a prototype for Thailand’s future community parks, aligning ecology, culture, and inclusivity.

All the photographs are works of Nawin Deangnul