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Most Saturdays in Bangkok come with a brunch booking, a pop-up market in Ari, an exhibition opening across town and a phone that buzzes through the lot. Under the Tree Club asks far less of you.
The idea comes from YEP Academy, an outdoor learning outfit based in Phnom Penh, and the first session is on October 3. You arrive at 3.30pm with a book you love, pick a patch of grass under one of Lumphini’s wide rain trees and settle down beside strangers doing the same. Nobody expects small talk and nobody minds whether you’ve brought Murakami or manga.
Phones go off for the afternoon, which leaves you free to notice the park properly. Joggers clock laps of the path, pedal boats drift across the lake and the odd monitor lizard hauls itself up the bank to sunbathe. Water refills are provided but snacks aren’t, so pack your own. It’s still rainy season too, and an umbrella in your tote is a wise shout.
Once the pages close, everyone forms a small circle to swap whatever stuck with them, whether that’s a single line or a whole plot twist. Sharing is optional and conversation happens in Thai and English. Afterwards you can hang around to chat or slip off towards Sala Daeng BTS for dinner in Silom.
The plan is to meet monthly, with a new activity each time. Same shade, fresh format.
Under the Tree Club takes place at Lumphini Park from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on the first Saturday of every month, starting Sat Oct 3.
Entry is free but places are capped at 30, so register via the YEP Academy website.