Expanding Free Public Access to Open and Green Spaces for All

10Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University remains steadfast in its commitment to becoming a sustainable, eco-friendly residential campus. As part of this vision, the university continually focuses on improving and transforming its internal and external environment into multifunctional, environmentally conscious spaces. Remarkably, we constructed and nurtured the tremendous eco-friendly area that is the open spaces and green spaces, to embrace both people and nature as one, all permanently free access for the public to visit.

Figure: Map showing green and open spaces at Walailak University

Click on the map for a clearer view with more details

Open Spaces

BOTA Market Open Space

The open area of BOTA Market in front of the entrance to Walailak Botanic Park (BOTA) Excluding the main purpose of the marketplace, it serves as a space for relaxation, social gatherings, leisure activities, and exercise, as well as for recreational events such as musical performances and shows on special occasions for free. Currently, this area is used by students, university staff, and the general public, showing how it unites the people around campus.

The Tent Area

An open space for camping within the Walailak University Botanic Park, offering a recreational destination for visitors to study and learn amidst the natural surroundings of the riverside forest. This romantic atmosphere serves as a check-in point where visitors can stay overnight, enjoy the natural environment, and witness the sunset in this area.

BOTA Home & Camp

Walailak University Botanic Park offers accommodation facilities for camp activities, training sessions, and seminars, certified with the SHA standard (Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration). The full name in Thai is the “Upgrading Thai Tourism Industry Standards for Safety and Hygiene” project. This initiative is a collaboration among the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health, and the Department of Health Service Support under the Ministry of Public Health, etc. It integrates public health safety measures with quality service standards of establishments to assure tourists that they will have a pleasant, happy, and safe experience in terms of health and hygiene with Thailand’s products and services.

Aerobic Area

A dedicated space for fitness enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy aerobic dance (Aerobic Dance for Health). This area promotes health and is open to all visitors who seek to improve their well-being while enjoying the beautiful landscape at the same time, free of charge.

Green Spaces

Walailak Park

Completed between 2017 and 2018, Walailak Park is the largest university park in Thailand, covering an impressive 100.79 acres. Located conveniently near the university’s main entrance, the park is designed for easy access with no entrance fee. It features cycling and jogging tracks, open spaces for activities like yoga, and strategically placed benches where visitors can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, including the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset.

To drive the green university policy forward, the university has designated 408,000 square meters of its land as a public park, with 208,000 square meters of inland water bodies and 200,000 square meters of land area, providing free access to everyone. It is located along the university’s main entrance road, opposite the Walailak University Medical Center Hospital.

The park serves as a recreational area designed to rejuvenate the mind and body of university staff, faculty, employees, and students, as well as the residents of Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and surrounding areas. It also welcomes visitors from across the country and abroad, providing a relaxing space for the families of hospital patients and those using the Medical Center’s services.

The park boasts a diverse collection of trees, flowers, and wildlife, creating a tranquil environment that makes it a perfect spot for relaxation and fostering social interactions.

In 2023, WU constructed a French-style garden in front of Walailak Hospital, featuring green spaces designed in the elegant French garden style. The garden showcases beautifully shaped hedges and a collection of stunning plants, brought to life by the landscape architecture expertise of Thailand’s renowned ‘Nong Nooch Garden Pattaya.’ Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the garden year-round.

Elephant Herd Sculptures

Walailak Park Maze

Owl Fountain

British–style Garden

Thip Phiman Waterfall

Heart–Shaped Bougainvillea Arch

Japanese–style Garden

French–style Garden

Walailak Botanic Park

Nestled within the Walailak Conservation Area, Walailak Botanic Park is a sprawling green haven spanning 853,760 square meters at Walailak University. Beyond serving as a rich botanical repository with an impressive variety of plant species, the park is also a tranquil retreat for students and locals, offering opportunities for leisure, physical activities, and camping. The park is also free access for the public.

Near the park’s entrance, adjacent to a picturesque reservoir, lies a thoughtfully designed tunnel themed ‘Embrace the Warmth of Sunrise, Bid Farewell to the Gentle Sunset.’ The park hosts the weekly Bota Market Chic & Chill event every Thursday, held in the square near the entrance. This vibrant market fosters relaxation, social gathering, and shopping, supporting small local businesses and lower-income individuals while boosting the local economy. Attracting students, staff, and visitors, the market, operating under the concept of ‘The Green Market for Communities,’ focuses on promoting local products while providing space for community events and talent showcases, making the most of the park’s facilities for public benefit.

The area is undergoing continuous development to further highlight the distinctive features of Walailak Botanic Park. Besides, the park is primarily composed of the following sections:

Canopy Walkway

This is a natural area for visitors or those interested in learning about treetop ecosystems and observing beautiful wildlife along a nature study trail. Visitors can explore various plant species up close in the only forest within Walailak University for free. This site is part of a prominent natural attraction in Southern Thailand.

Bota Sky Tower

This stunning attraction in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province offers a unique opportunity to experience nature from a skywalk that rises to the height of an eight-story building, at no cost. To the east, visitors can take in the vast landscape of Walailak University’s campus and its lush botanic park, while to the west, they are treated to the breathtaking sight of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain range, extending beautifully beneath the open skies.

Additionally, the site serves as a key educational resource, hosting a collection and exhibition of cactus species, drought-resistant plants, and succulents. It is an important botanical learning center for Southern Thailand, offering opportunities for students, researchers, and the general public to explore and study these plant species within the Walailak Botanic Park.

The Bota Cactus Dome

The Bota Cactus Dome is a dedicated public space for the collection, exhibition, and research of diverse plant species, including cacti, drought-tolerant, and succulent varieties. It functions as an educational hub, providing valuable learning opportunities for students, researchers, and the general public interested in exploring plant species native to southern Thailand.

The Herb Garden

The herb garden is a purpose-built zone for cultivating and preserving medicinal plants, catering primarily to the academic and health needs of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine. Supervised by the Botanic Park, the project is centered on systematically sourcing, planting, and maintaining an extensive array of medicinal herbs. This herb garden is free to access to visitors from all places.

Bota Banana Garden

This garden houses nearly 100 banana plant species in Thailand, totaling 292 banana trees, including rare varieties such as the Sao Kratuep Ho, Nam Nom, Nak (red banana), Roiwi, Chang, Theppharot, Phama Haek Khuk, and Nom Sao bananas. These rare banana species are open to the public for viewing and research free of charge, with plans for further propagation by the university.

In 2023, the open spaces and green spaces offered by the university free of charge have gained significant popularity, with a large number utilizing the facilities. According to the follow-up evaluation of the usage of these areas, found that users expressed a satisfaction rate of 90% (4.50 out of 5 points).

Walailak University has adopted a policy to become a green university, with a commitment to continuously working toward its goals in alignment with the global Green University rankings. This initiative focuses on creating a sustainable green campus, emphasizing landscaping, energy conservation, waste management, water management, transportation, and environmental education. The aim is for students and staff living and learning on campus to enjoy a high quality of life.

Related links:

https://dcc.wu.ac.th/walailakpark

https://www.wu.ac.th/th/view/campus

https://www.wu.ac.th/th/content/294/จุดเช็คอินใน-มวล-

https://www.iok2u.com/variety/travel-thailand/travel-nakhonsithammarat-thasala-walailak-botanical-garden

https://curiosity.nsm.or.th/th/node/6761

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uanxyoSSWus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6OnWQr0NyY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mjWgjM0Pho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6NWUQv3vbY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5KeGGa_7rk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z124Y1_r1UA