Recreational Value Assessment of Benjakitti Park, Bangkok

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to the general recreational information of visitors and recreational value assessment of Benjakitti Park. The estimations were done by using individual travel cost method (ITCM) and contingent valuation methodby willingness to pay (WTP). Data collected by interviewed 400 visitors to Benjakitti Park during December 2024 to February 2025. Statistical analysis were  frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean and multiple regression equation applied by Stepwise method

            The results of this study indicated that majority of visitors were female, with an average age of 26.56 years. Most participants held bachelor's degrees and had an average monthly income of 22,384.43 bath/month. An average, users visited the park 10.61 times/year, with the primary purpose being recreation and relaxation. The majority of visitors came with friends, with an average per/group in 3.51. Most of
the visitors used their Skytrain, with an average distance 14.33 kilometers from their residence to Benjakitti Park, and the total average cost of traveling using park facilities was 308.80 bath/time. The recreational value assessment of Benjakitti Park by using the individual travel cost method was valued at 772,744,379.07 baht/year, while the recreational value assessment using the contingent valuation method, which estimated value based on willingness to pay, yielded a value of 88,266,548.13 baht/year. This study also provided useful data for future planning and allocating public park budgets in a manner with appropriated and aligned with their needs.