A Day at The Bangkok Zoo's

by Rod Santos
(Manila, Philippines)

Just another day at the Bangkok Zoo!

Thailand is well-known for it's wide & diverse range of exotic animals & birds. There are many places in Bangkok and around the outskirts of the city where visitors can get a chance to learn about these animals and watch them interact with each other.

Dusit Zoo was the first zoo opened in Thailand and is locally known as "Khao Din". This Bangkok zoo had been operating for approximately 60 years and is home to around 1,600 animals. Dusit Zoo works as a fully-functioning animal park, including many facilities like a zoo museum with an educational center, animal hospital, a sightseeing train, a cafeteria and sightseeing grounds.

The zoo contains all the perenial favourites like lions, tigers, monkeys and alligators, there are also rarer breeds not commonly seen in Thailand such as camels, penguins, kangaroos and wallabies.

The different animals are also separated by theme, so for example African Savannah, Nocturnal House, Pheasants Aviary, Reptile House, Elephants House and Hawks Exhibit.

There are also recreational lakes where visitors can ride a pedal boat and feed the fish at the same time.

The Crocodile Farm & Zoo, which can be found 30kms outside Bangkok, is the largest crocodile farm in the world and was founded by the “Crocodile King” of Thailand, Mr Utai Youngprapakorn. Visitors here will enjoy watching crocodiles wrestle each other and acrobatic elephant shows hourly!.

Safari World is located along Indra Road in Bangkok. The children particularly will enjoy this drive-through zoo that showcases many endangered species. You may opt to drive your own car here or take a safari mini-coach around the Safari Park. The Marine Park stages animal shows also for the visitors’ enjoyment.

A Bangkok zoo called The Snake Farm was set up specifically to produce anti-venom serums for victims of snake bites all over Thailand.

This zoo is definitely the place to visit for snake enthusiasts to learn about the different breeds of snakes and the process of extracting venom from them.

For people who prefer viewing gentler things such as butterflies and insects out in the open, The Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium is the place to be.

It features a large enclosure where visitors can see how the insects behave in a simulated natural habitat. Over 500 butterflies flutter around the enclosure and would surely be a joy to see for nature lovers. The Queen Sirikit Gardens and the Children’s Discovery Museum can also be found near the butterfly garden.

Chokchai Farm although this park is not actually in Bangkok, it's at Pakchong in Nakhon Ratchasima, it is DEFINATELY worth a visit, as it's an award winning venture & very well run.

This American ranch-style park offers visitors many activities like camping packages and agro-tours. It features cowboy shows and people may be able to experience milking cows, riding horses and even help make farm-style ice cream.

They do also have an outstanding restaurant,that serves the very best steaks ANYWHERE in Thailand!!. If you can't make it to the farm, they do also have two Chokchai Steakhouse restaurants in Bangkok at Rangsit & Sukhumvit.