The Best Zoos in Thailand

The Best Zoos in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations for lovers of exotic animals, of which the country has plenty – especially wild ones.

And in one of our previous posts about some of the weird and wonderful wildlife that resides in this tropical SE Asian region, we covered some of the lesser-known breeds of reptiles, birds and wildlife that might be encountered in some of Thailand’s many national parks.

In this post, however, we are focusing more on zoos, and some of the animals that might tend to be more commonly-associated with Thailand and this part of the tropical world, where everything often seems to be so much bigger and brighter.

Of course zoos are not everyone’s cup of tea, which may be related to the many reports of the somewhat dubious ethics and questionable treatment of animals in this part of the world. And it’s no real secret that Thailand has been under the international spotlight in relation to this matter on numerous occasions.

The most prominent issues have largely been related to elephants, tigers and monkeys (coconuts, anyone?) — but many visitors to Thailand nevertheless do take great delight in bringing their families to witness some of the majestic animals kept in the zoos, many of which would otherwise never be witnessed at such close range.

There are around 20 ‘zoos’ in all in Thailand (depending on how a zoo is classified exactly), with most of them housing at least some of the many animal species commonly associated with the country. These are namely tigers, elephants, and monkeys, along with other cats like leopards, bears, macaques, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, and rhinos – just to touch the tip of the iceberg.

And not forgetting the amazingly extensive variety of birds that live in this region, some of which will be found in these zoos by way of pelicans, cranes, ostriches and all manner of other exotic feathery friends.

The (former) main zoo in Bangkok (Dusit Zoo), for any previous visitors to the Thai capital who may have been there before, actually closed its gates for good a few years back. This was done much to the chagrin of many local Thai parents, meaning that the nearest facility to the capital now is Safari World, located nearer towards what might be considered the outskirts of the central city region.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

It is actually possible to find quite a few other zoos not mentioned here, in various geographic regions of Thailand, but they are usually much smaller than anything featured here and so don’t actually attract that much attention. Phuket zoo would be a good example, for instance.

So here we go, starting in the capital city and then moving outward and past the perimeter until we find ourselves heading off towards other provinces, in order of their proximity to Bangkok.

1. Safari World Bangkok 

This wildlife theme park and zoo covers almost 500 acres of land, and includes an open zoo and a large variety of birds. Safari World has long been a prime tourist attraction in Thailand, and is divided into two parks.

The first area is the safari park and the second is devoted to marine life.

Needless to say, it attracts a lot of tourists, so expect tours-a-plenty containing visitors from all around the world arriving in their droves during peak holiday periods. 

Image by Peter Dickenson from wikimedia commons

The park bears some slight resemblance to the African wilderness, albeit a tropical one, and has been created for the purpose of helping the animals adapt more easily to their surroundings.

The park holds a variety of shows every day which may include elephants, sea lions, orangutans and dolphins, with the times of the shows being displayed outside of the various regions of the park where they occur.

Many of the visitors to the park come by way of tour which, although more expensive, at least guarantees a complete tour of the park. Having said that, the park is not that difficult to reach by taxi if visitors would rather make their own way there, although once more  every non -Thai is subject to the dreaded dual pricing policy, and a variety of ticket admission options which include various attractions that are not exactly cheap comparatively to zoos in other regions.

Image by peter Dickenson from wikimedia commons

Location: 99 Thanon Panya Indra, Khwaeng Sam Wa Tawan Tok, Khet Khlong Sam Wa, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10510

Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Sunday

2. Bangkok Snake Farm

The Bangkok Snake ‘Farm’ began as something of a scientific venture. Its initial incentive was to try and establish a wider range of anti-venom for the many poisonous snake species that are to be found in Thailand.

Image by ekeidar from wiki media commons

And so the facility specialises in the cultivation of venomous snakes, with the purpose being the extraction of their venom in order to produce antidotes for snake-bite victims in the country. Needless to say, the farm now exhibits a wide range of snakes (minus their venom) at the facility otherwise known as The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute.

The Bangkok snake farm offers an informed and fascinating experience for anyone even mildly curious about the world of snakes, and it might even help with anyone’s existing fear of the slithery reptiles.

The facility is home to a wide and fascinating range of both well-known and rarer species, including a few sea snakes.

Location: Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute,1871 Rama IV Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

Phone: 02 252 0161

3. Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm

Image by Thomas Depenbusch from wikimedia commons

The crocodile farm is, like the Bangkok snake farm, not strictly a farm as such. In fact, it is a large crocodile enclosure and zoo set in a natural, outdoor environment that allows visitors prime views and encounters with yet another reptile that usually induces fear – and rightly so – as some of the monsters to be found here will likely demonstrate when they are being fed.

Visitors to the facility not only get to feed the crocs (via raw meat on a fishing line), but also, if the mood takes them, they are able to sample some of the various crocodile meat dishes on offer at the farm’s restaurant should they feel the need (!).

Location: 555 Thai Ban, Muang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan 10270

Hours: 10 am-6 pm

4. Khao Kheow Open Zoo

This open zoo in Thailand situated in Bang Phra, in the Chon Buri province east of the capital. It is actually considered one of the best zoos in Thailand and is home to more than 300 species of animal.

Image by by lynxsquared from creativecommons.org

This open Thai zoo is actually more of a wildlife reserve set in a national park, so you won’t find too many animals kept in cages here, as they are free to roam in more of an open, natural environment. There are several main sections of the open zoo such as a walk-through aviary and a cat complex.

Location: 235, 7 Tambon Bang Phra, Amphoe Si Racha, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20110
Hours: 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Sunday

5. Sriracha Tiger Zoo

This is a fairly well-known tourist attraction that has attracted both delight and derision in the past.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Located in Sri Racha, Pattaya (again in the Chonburi district), at this facility tourists are able to witness  the tiger breeding grounds where the zoo is trying to encourage increases in a population of species that is rapidly dwindling.

There are also crocodile and herbivore zones that are also very popular with tourists, but the selling point for many visitors is the opportunity to get right up close to a tiger for a photo opportunity –- something that has admittedly caused some degree of controversy in the past amid claims of the majestic-looking animals being heavily-sedated and/or ill-treated in various other ways.

Location: 341 Tambon Nong Kham, Amphoe Si Racha, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20230,

Hours: 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Sunday

6. Korat Zoo

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Heading out just a couple of hours out of Bangkok towards the North-Eastern region of Thailand, we find the ‘gateway’ (to the NE) province of Nakhorn Ratchasima (or ‘Korat’ for short).

The zoo here is situated in the Chai Mongkhon region of the province, and is comparatively smaller to some of the others, although there are around 500 animals and a reptile house, as well as a few native African animals.

There are some other decent features of this ‘countryside’ Thai zoo like the well-constructed children’s play area and garden. This place is also ideal for picnics, and so may provide an ideal day out for anyone looking for some respite from the chaotic Thai capital.

Location: 111, 4/3 Amphur Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday

7. Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium is located high up in the Northern provinces, and is more along the lines of a commercial-type zoo.

With over 400 different animal and marine life species, you’ll find plenty of tourists flocking here during peak periods. The animals in this facility have mostly been bred and raised here, and so the zoo believes that their natural habitat is provided.

Source: Pixabay.com

The zoo is relatively large and has different zones such as the African zone, the rather well-known Panda zone and a bird park to name but a few. Worth a visit if zoos are your thang and you find yourself in the north of Thailand on vacation.

Location: 100 Huaykaew Rd, Amphur Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday