Zoos in Thailand to Visit with Family and Kids

Opened in 1978, Khao Kheow Open Zoo is spread over a vast area of 2000 acres nestled inside the Khao Kheow Chom Puo Wildlife Sanctuary. With a spectacular backdrop of lofty hills covered with lush green rain forests, the zoo houses more than 300 species of animal with a total count of about 8000 animals.

Safari World is one of the most favorite destinations in Bangok, with both tourists and locals descending on the park to spend quality time amongst wild life. Not only a place for gathering knowledge about the ways and lives of wild animals, it offers a host of entertaining shows along with activities. It is an extraordinary animal park that cannot be dismissed as an ordinary zoo. People from all walks of life find it pleasurable to spend some time with wild life with the young children being absolutely fascinated with them.

The oldest zoo in Thailand, Dusit Zoo lies in the vicinity of Bangkok's governmental headquarters in the Dusit District. Boasting of a heavy annual footfall, Dusit Zoo exhibits many species, ranging from exotic to rare, such as monkeys, penguins, camels, the albino barking deer and the white Bengal tiger. It also offers tram rides and boating services, which guarantee an uninhibited day of fun.

Sea Life Bangkok is an underground aquarium located beneath the Siam Paragon mall in the heart of Bangkok. Sprawled over an area of 110,000 sq. ft., it is home to marine life retrieved from the remotest corners of the world. Several species of octopuses, sharks, crabs, penguins and fish reside here, among other marvellous secrets from the deep blue.

The Sriracha Tiger Zoo is situated in Sri Racha city of the Chon Buri Province of Thailand. Built on the outskirts of Pattaya, Sriracha Tiger Zoo is about 97 kilometres away from Bangkok. It was established in 1997 and now homes around 400 Royal Bengal Tigers and 10,000 crocodiles which are estimated to be the largest in the world. The Zoo is an ideal place for visitors who would wish to get a real-time experience with tiger cubs, watching animal shows, feeding them, or taking a picture amidst nature.

The Chiang Mai Zoo, spread across 200 acres, is one of the oldest zoos in northern Thailand. It houses animal species from all over the world, including ostriches, camels, flamingos, penguins, seals, sharks and even giant pandas. Exhibits are made to resemble the animals' natural habitats for their comfort. The zoo also has tunnel aquariums, some of which hold world records.

With over 100,000 crocodiles of various species in the facility, Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo ranks among the largest crocodile farms in the world. Trained experts perform fascinating tricks with crocodiles and elephants in daily live shows. There are enclosures where visitors can also feed crocodiles, making for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Opened to the public in the year 1923, the snake farm in Bangkok, part of the Thai Red Cross Institute (formerly the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute) has large pits and mesh enclosures to host its reptile residents. Also called “Suan Nguu”, the snake farm hosts a variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes. It’s the second oldest such snake farm in the world after a snake farm in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Whether you’re an animal lover or someone interested in unique experiences, the Tiger Kingdom in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai is a great place to witness these majestic creatures up close. Home to over a dozen tigers groomed since birth to interact with the tourists, Tiger Kingdom is the answer to combining tourism and wild animals responsibly. Unlike other animal-based tourist attractions, the tigers at Tiger Kingdom are not sedated. This attraction sees hundreds of visitors every day who are eager to climb into the tiger’s cages, pet them, feed them, and get photographed playing with them.

Home to a variety of rescued elephants, the Phuket Elephant Park provides its visitors with an opportunity to observe and interact with these gentle creature in their natural habitat. Set in a national park, a half day tour of this sanctuary lets visitors watch elephants take mudbaths and forage amongst the green foliage, for a beautiful and heartwarming experience.

A sister operation of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, Tiger Kingdom Phuket opened on July 2013 and is only 15 mins away from Patong Beach. It is located next to the Go-Kart track in Kathu at the foot of Patong Hill. Tiger kingdom is not a standard zoo; it specializes in big cats and is the world’s leading facility in encounters with this majestic animal. Here you will find Indochinese tigers of varying sizes and ages.

Phuket Aquarium in Cape Panwa is situated 40 kms away from the central Phuket City, near the Thai Navy's Third Area Naval Command Base. Established in 1983, Phuket Aquarium is a part of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), spread over 20 acres of prime waterfront property on Phuket's southeast coast.